Anvik Community Plan€¦ · hills meet the mouth of the Anvik River are 50 to 60 foot bluffs,...

Anvik Community Plan

2016

A n v i k C o m m u n i t y P l a n P a g e | 1

Contents

Resolution ....................................................................................................................................... 2

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 3

Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... 3

Vision ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Values .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Community Profile .......................................................................................................................... 6

History and Culture ......................................................................................................................... 7

Population/Demographics ............................................................................................................ 14

Governance ................................................................................................................................... 15

Public Utilities ............................................................................................................................... 17

Communications .......................................................................................................................... 25

Public Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 27

Economy ........................................................................................................................................ 42

Housing ......................................................................................................................................... 57

Transportation .............................................................................................................................. 60

Land Use ........................................................................................................................................ 65

Community Well Being ................................................................................................................. 72

Education ...................................................................................................................................... 74

Goals and Priorities ....................................................................................................................... 76

Top 12 Community Projects for 2016-2021 .............................................................................. 77

References .................................................................................................................................... 91

Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 93


Resolution


Executive Summary

In the spring of 2015 the Anvik Tribal Council was awarded a contract through Tanana Chiefs

Conference Village Planning and Development Program to update their existing

Comprehensive Plan. While providing a significant overview of Anvik, the (ACP) identifies

community goals, objectives and implementation strategies for education, health lifestyle

alternatives, land use, economic opportunity, cultural renewal, infrastructure development,

workforce and human resource capacity building, transportation, and community wellness.

The plan provides a “picture” or snapshot of Anvik at this particular time; however, it is not a

static development. The plan is meant to build upon, consistent with the community’s vision

and values. In the future, the plan will be need to be revised as local goals are reached or as

the community changes. Recommendations and suggestions for future action are part of this

plan.

Acknowledgement

There are a number of other written resources that are cited in Anvik’s final plan. These

documents are outlined in the “Works Cited” section and had proved helpful in the

compilation of Anvik’s Community 2016-2021 Plan. A special Acknowledgement to Malinda

Chase who put forth a tremendous amount of effort in the completion of the 2005

Comprehensive plan.


Vision

“We are a community working together with visions of getting people involved in all aspects of our growing

and thriving community. We value all areas of education, a strong work ethic and a sense of

responsibility for our people. We live a healthy subsistence lifestyle with respect for land, culture and

resource management while balancing economic growth"


Values

Respect for Local Culture and History

• Anvik has a rich Deg Hit’an Athabascan cultural history that includes our traditional relationships with the surrounding villages of Shageluk,

Grayling, and Holy Cross. We recognize our experience over time and value the knowledge and wisdom from our collective experiences.

Care for Community and Family

• Our family history is here, we know one another and we work to provide for our families and toward a sense of community.

Community Responsibility

• Anvik pulls together during difficult times to continually work to make it a better place to live.

Respect for the Land and the Community

• Anvik is centrally located in relationship to surrounding communities. We have beautiful scenery and land. We value the Anvik and Yukon Rivers and the resources, spiritual renewal and sense of place they

provide. We appreciate our clean air and village.

Practice of Our Subsistence Lifestyle

• We value our subsistence lifestyle and want to make sure our children know the land and how to live off it. The land, animals, fish and birds

help us make a living and are tied to our culture, beliefs and our relations with one another. We respect the land, the resources it

provides and the freedom we feel on the land.


Community Profile


History and Culture

Historically, Anvik is Deg Hit’an Athabascan, one of the eleven Interior Alaska Athabascan

groups. The Deg Hit’an, which translates as “the People of this area,” historically lived in the

Anvik-Shageluk area, which includes part of Anvik River to the northwest; to the Innoko River

inclusive of Shageluk and along the Yukon from Anvik to Holy Cross. Anvik has also been known

as American Station, Anvik, Anvig Station, and Anwig. Although a distinct Athabascan group, the

Deg Hit’an are closely associated with the Doy Hit’an Athabascan originally of Holikachuck but

who are now relocated and recognized as the community of Grayling.

Anvik, being at the confluence of the Yukon and Anvik Rivers, has always been a significant

location for gathering and living. The Anvik River is major tributary of the Yukon River and hosts

a variety of salmon and other fish species. The people gathered annually at summer fish camps

and inhabited a number of sites in and around the current community site.

According to Belle Deacon, the Anvik area has always been a significant and important area.

‘Qay Xiduxi’o’ they used to say cause lots of fish go up the Anvik River, all kinds of fish, all the

time, every year. (Deacon, October 1993).

Historic Trade Prior to Russian-American Presence

Historically the Deg Hit’an and other Native people of Alaska had an extensive network of trade

routes and relationships before the arrival of Russians and Americans. These routes included

relations with the coastal and inland river people of the present- day Unalakleet River. These

Unalakleet people traded with the Sledge and King Island people who were middlemen, trading

with the Russian post on the Kolyma River in Siberia by way of the Chukchi. The Anvik River

served as a significant trade route between the lower Yukon-Innoko and the Norton Sound,

being primarily used by the Anvik, Shageluk Slough and Innoko-Yukon area peoples. The Anvik-

Shageluk areas were noted for trade items that included dried smoked fish, wooden tubs,

dishes, bowls and furs. The wooden items were in very much demand along the coast and in

the Siberia-Alaska trade. Near the mouth of the Innoko River and Anilukhtakpak (a former

settlement close to present day Holy Cross) were also important trading sites.


Language

Anvik is traditionally a Deg Xinag Athabaskan language-speaking community but in June of 2005

Anvik lost the last fluent Deg Xinag speaker living in the community. The state of the language is

a result of long-term language and cultural suppression. The primary language used today is

English. However, there are local Deg Xinag language revitalization efforts supported by the

Anvik Tribal Council, Anvik Historical Society, Iditarod Area School District, Tanana Chiefs

Conference, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Alaska Native Language Center. There is a

committed group of Deg Xinag language learners who practice speaking with each other and

Elder speakers through local language workshops, courses, spirit camps, and distance-

education delivered language classed.

Location

Anvik lies 34 miles north of Holy Cross and 21

miles south of Grayling on the Yukon River.

It is about 160 miles northeast of Bethel

and 365 air miles northwest of

Anchorage. Anvik is located in the

Kuskokwim Recording District. The

City of Anvik area encompasses 9.5

square miles of land and 2.4

square miles of water. It

coordinates are 62 degrees

39’15”N and 160 degrees 12’30”W.

Geographically, Anvik is located in an area regarded as the Innoko Lowlands, which consist

primarily of flat river flood plains of the Yukon River. The Innoko and Anvik Rivers are two major

tributaries. Looking south and facing downriver in Anvik, the west bank of the Yukon River

serves as a natural boundary to this lowland area, and is marked by low rolling hills. This natural

boundary separates the Innoko lowlands from the Norton Sound Coast. In places the hills, lining


the Yukon River, are extremely steep, picturesque and can rise up to 2,000 feet. Where these

hills meet the mouth of the Anvik River are 50 to 60 foot bluffs, which serve as familiar

landmarks (Vanstone p.6).

Anvik is a Deg Hit’an Athabascan Community, with a rich history. It is located on the west bank

of the Yukon River in Interior Alaska, just inside the old mouth of the Anvik River along the

hillside. This hillside called Deloy Ges (or Hawk Bluff), which means “so called mountain” in Deg

Xinag, the local Athabascan language. Raven, or Yuxgitsity, whose name translates as

“everyone’s grandfather” created Deloy Ges. Raven was walking along. Soon he became across

sand. He thought to himself, “I should make a mountain.” He piled up the sand real high, and

then started to walk up it with his cane. The sand started to slide down, as it does when you

pile it up. Raven, he got mad and whipped it up with his cane; that’s what made all the gulches

in the hillside. Then he walked away from it.

(Alta Jerue, Spring 1998)

Anvik’s traditional name, Git’ringithchagg, further describes its location, meaning the mouth of

the long, long river. One of the old village sites, Tthogi qay xitl’ot, was located directly across

from the current village at the old mouth of the Anvik River, on the point of land extending out

into the Yukon, commonly referred to as “the Point” by local residents. The establishment of

the Episcopal Church site significantly impacted the settlement patterns of the community. The

Reverend John Chapman, accompanied by Reverend Parks selected the present village site for

an Episcopal mission in 1887. Villagers gradually moved to the mission side of the Anvik River.

By 1915, the old village was used only in the summer as a fish camp and later as a dog staking

area. In 1934, the Anvik River was changed directions, and cut into the Yukon River about 1.5

miles above the current community.


Climate

Anvik’s climate is continental. Temperature ranges from -60 in the winter to 87+ in the summer.

Snowfall averages 110 inches, for 21 inches of total precipitation per year. The Yukon River is

ice-free from June through October. Anvik is approximately 60 air miles from the Norton Sound

coast. Local weather is often influenced by coastal conditions bringing clouds, rain or marginal

conditions in comparison with other interior communities. As with other Alaskan communities,

Anvik has experienced a warming trend in recent years. Due to the effects of global warming,

the weather has become unpredictable. Warmer conditions mean that the Yukon and Anvik

Rivers and connecting slough ice may not freeze adequately to allow snow machine or dog sled

travel for hunting, visiting or recreation. Marginal ice conditions are unsafe and keep local

residents place-bound during the winter months when there are only 4-5 hours of daylight

between November and February.

Flood Management

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers rates the flood hazard of Anvik as high, in the flood-zone

designated areas, which is the lower or downtown area of the community. The major cause of

flooding is ice jamming. A high water river gauge has been maintained by the National Weather

Service for many years. The highest water recorded was in 1992, with the flood elevation

reaching 108.3 feet which was taken from the HIGH Water Elevation sign and flood gauge on

the power pole near the east end of the culvert (formerly the bridge) crossing the slough.

Although there was no formal flood recording at the time, the flood of 1925 was higher than

the 1992 event according to residents.


Geology and Topography

Anvik is located at the confluence of the Anvik and Yukon Rivers. The Anvik River drains a

portion of the eastern flank of the Nulato Hills, a north-south running range extending from the

Lower Yukon Delta northward to Kotzebue Sound. Vast lowlands of meandering rivers,

scattered oxbow, pothole lakes and rolling uplands characterize this region. Relief is provided

by ancient sand dune formations that are visible as heavily forested gently curved terraces, and

flat plains of sandy soil and high bluffs. The community site occupies a natural levee of

unconsolidated but stratified silt loam and fine sand. Anvik is hilly and there are steep slopes

and gullies along the hillside where the community has expanded to in the past few decades.

Soil Conditions

Soil within the town site consists of brown silty sand, blue silty sand, and silty gravel. The area is

generally underlain by moderately thick to thin permafrost in the areas of predominantly fine

grain deposits. Maximum depth to the base of permafrost could be as much as 600 feet.

Numerous areas of wetlands exist in the vicinity of Anvik; however, the community itself is not

in a wetland area.

Vegetation

Anvik is on the edge of a bottomland spruce-hardwood forest that closely follows the Yukon

River. White spruce, paper birch and quaking aspen are the principal trees in the better-drained

soils and south facing slopes. The low-lying areas are thinly forested with stunted black spruce

and contain tundra vegetation of sedges, mosses and low growing shrubs. Balsam poplar or

cottonwood is dominant within active floodplains, together with thick stands of willow and

alder brush. Edible and useful plants, which make up the understory around the community

include, low bush and high bush cranberries, bog blueberry, salmon or cloud berry, rose hips,

Indian potatoes, wild celery, wild onion, wild rhubarb and sour dock.

Wildlife

There is a variety of wildlife, waterfowl, plants and fish in the area. As with other Native people

in Alaska, the Deg Hit’an commonly used a wild range of animals, birds, plants and fish.


Culturally, each has been significant spiritually to the Anvik People; historically, there were

elaborate ceremonies that honored the “yeg” or spirit of animals, fish and plant life. Traditional

Deg Hit’an stories often center on the relationship between the people and the animals, and

many literal translations of the Deg Xinag language reflects these relations.

Moose are found throughout the area and, beyond the harvesting of salmon, it is the single

most important animal taken for subsistence. A lucky or skillful hunt during the September

moose-hunting season means meat is available to share and eat throughout winter. In the past,

caribou frequented the area, and was common food staple; however it is far less common then

moose. Between 1993 and 2003, caribou entered the area during two winter seasons.

Residents do not rely on caribou, however, they are appreciative of the animal and hunt them if

caribou migrate into traditional hunting territories. Black bear and brown bear are also found in

the area.

Fur-bearing animals include martin, beaver, muskrat, wolf, wolverine, and land otter, silver

otter, lynx, mink, red fox, cross fox, weasel and hare. Porcupine is also common in the area.

Prime migratory waterfowl nesting in the area include Canada goose, white fronted goose,

black brand, mallard, goldeneye, pintail, green-winged, and northern pintail. Ruffed grouse,

spruce grouse, and willow ptarmigan are also found in the area.


Seasonal Rounds and Traditional Harvest

Seasonal subsistence rounds follow a cyclical pattern and need to be factored into to local

planning and development initiative:

• Summertime is busy with local resident’s subsistence fishing, picking berries and gardening. Significant time is dedicated to preservation of fish for the winter.

• Moose hunting and occasionally taking of caribou or bear happens in the fall. Berry picking and hunting southern migrating waterfowl are frequent activities.

• In the springtime, local residents may harvest or trap a variety of animals, such as beaver, muskrat, other fur-bearers or waterfowl. Ice fishing is also common

• Winter is busy with trapping, eeling, small game hunting and ice fishing. In February, beaver and trapping begins

Winter

November-February

Spring

Early March- May

Summer

June to Mid August

Fall

Late August to October


Population/Demographics

Present Population

The present population of Anvik

is currently eighty-four people.

The problem for Anvik residents

is limited housing and jobs which

have decreased our population in

the past years, which also caused

people to move away.

The outstanding feature of

Anvik’s population, like most

other villages in the region, is that

this is a predominantly Athabascan Indian community.

The median age of Anvik’s Population in 2016 is 34.

Past Population Trends

Anvik has fewer people today than it did ten years ago. The school always averaged well over

30 students from K-12th grade. At the time Anvik didn’t have a lot of students leaving for

boarding school, which made a big impact on our population. We also had subsistence activities

in June through September which helped with our population growth. Because of the decline of

subsistence fishing we have noticed a significant difference in population in the summers. Anvik

had a successful commercial fishing industry and when that declined several years ago it also

impacted on our population and economy.

Future Population Growth

If we have decent housing it will help with our population growth. Jobs and housing is a major

problem which have decreased our population in the past years.

84 85 104

82

2016 2010 2000 1990

Anvik Population Trends- US Census


Governance

Historical Governance

In order to understand and frame the historical governance in Anvik a thorough review of

ethnographic studies, oral histories, archival, church and Anvik Historical Society records would

reveal insight into the form of governance prior to and during early contact with Russians and

Americans. Reflecting on Glazanov’s first account about entering Anvik and reviewing the

chapter titled “Native Court” in John W. Chapman’s book, A Camp on the Yukon, it is apparent

that leadership was primarily held by men. Cultural protocol governed decision making. The

Kashim or community house was used and contributed to community cohesiveness.

Anvik Tribal Government

Today Anvik Tribal Council is the recognized traditional Athabascan government in Anvik. The

council adopted a written traditional constitution in 1993. There is a five-member council and

the Chief is the presiding officer. Decisions are made by majority vote. The council conducts

tribal court to address child custody and domestic relation cases. The Anvik Tribal has eleven

employees through winter months with seasonal employment increasing employees to as many

as thirty-five per season. Anvik Tribal Council, through a Memorandum of Agreement and a

contract for services with Tanana Chiefs Conference, administers programs in:

Adult Basic Education

Job Placement & Training

Scholarships

Social Services

Agriculture

Wildlife & Parks

Credit & Finance

Aid to Tribal Governments

Indian Child Welfare Act


City of Anvik

In 1969, the City of Anvik was incorporated as a municipal government under State law. The

City council has seven members, one of whom serves as mayor.

Deloy Ges, Incorporated−ANCSA Village Corporation

Deloy Ges, Inc. is the local village corporation, originally established as the Central Corporation

and formerly known as Ingalik, Inc., under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act passed in

1971. The Corporation was entitled to select 92,160 acres of land. In 1974, Deloy Ges Inc. had

129 shareholders. Currently there are approximately Deloy Ges corporation shareholders.

Anvik Historical Society

Several local residents formed the Anvik Historical Society in January 1981. The purpose of the

organization is to document and preserve the history of Anvik and the surrounding area. The

society is incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the State of Alaska.

Over the years the society has had a number of state and federally funded projects. These

include the restoration of Christ Church Anvik in 1982, the hosting of a Mission Centennial

celebration in 1987 and several projects in the preservation of the local Deg Xinag language.

In 1994 the Anvik Historical Society opened a museum in two rooms of the old Episcopal

rectory. Since the valuable collections have been acquired, including artifacts from Anvik Point,

Anvik masks (replicas), household and trade goods from the early 1900s and old photographs

and historical records. The Museum is open during the summer, staffed by volunteers.

Membership in the historical society is open to interested persons for an annual fee of $10.00 a

newsletter is published several times a year and distributed to members and other interested

persons and organizations. There are no paid staffs and no grants have been received for the

operation of the society or the museum. The office is located in the old rectory with the

museum.


Public Utilities

Spring Water

A natural water spring exists near the Anvik Park. Residents intermittently use the spring to

get fresh water. The spring is in a natural, unimproved state. Occasionally the area

immediately surrounding the spring, where the water forms a natural pool, has to be cleared

out removing dead leaves and natural debris. In the future, Anvik may consider improving the

area where the water pools, thereby enhancing the accessibility to the water.

Sewage Collection and Disposal

Anvik’s sewage lagoon is operated by the City of Anvik. There are 16 households with individual

sewage septic systems. Sewage wastes are collected as needed and hauled to the lagoon. The

June 2006 Water and Sewer Feasibility Study addresses the need for sewer improvements.

Anvik’s sewage lagoon and initial gravity sewer system was built in 1997. Two homes were

provided with individual systems as part of that project. In 2000, those two homes were

provided with on-site leach fields. In 2001, three additional on-site leach field systems were

installed and a lift station was constructed near the tribal council/historical society office

building, with a force main added to hook that building and 3-4 houses into the gravity sewer

system uphill1.

Type of system: piped sewer system and individual septic systems. Some of the latter

have on-site leach fields, some have cesspool systems, and others have outhouses.

Type of sewage disposal: Facultative lagoon with two cells.

Distribution system: The original piped sewer system has 8- inch arctic pipe mains

and four-inch service lines. There is one lift station located near the tribal

council/historical society office building and a 4-inch force main that runs for about

950 uphill to a manhole where it connects with the gravity sewer system.

Type of treatment: None.

1 The initial Indian Health Service piped sewer system did not provide service to that part of the community

lower than 100 feet above sea level, the elevation considered to be at or below mean high water level during the Yukon River flood stage


Solid Waste Disposal

The existing landfill site was opened in 1987 and is owned

by Deloy Ges Inc. A landfill upgrade project was

completed in 2006, which included installing a new chain

link fence and a Summit burn box that will extend the life

of the landfill. Residents individually dump their

household waste. Plastic grocery bags are disposed of

regularly at the dump and are often seen in and beyond

the dump area, caught in the grass or trees, and may

pose a threat to small wildlife/birds frequenting the

dump. The community may consider addressing this issue

through a local ordinance or community initiative.

Two old landfills are located at the southeast and southwest end of the Anvik airfield. Both

are covered and reclaimed. The landfill on the southeast side of the airport is just north of

the area where the windcone pad is located and across from the apron area (prior to 2004–

2006 airport rehabilitation project). Batteries, engines and snowmachines are part of the

buried waste and were placed at the bottom of the trench used for reclamation. It was used

between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, and closed when the current landfill was opened.

The existing 2-acre community landfill was constructed by the State in 1987.

Type of system: Exempt from the Class 3 permitting requirements due to a

population of less than 200 people.2

Landfill capacity: 12–16 year capacity.

Condition of landfill: Good.

Problems with system: The location of a new landfill will eventually be needed

due to the proximity to the expanded airport and surface waters.

2 Formerly a Class 3 permitted community landfill (Permit 8621-BA013) with individual disposal


Electric Power

Electric power in Anvik is provided by

Alaska Village Electric Company

(AVEC), a utility cooperative. AVEC

has provided electric power in Anvik

since the late 1960s. Approximately

five years ago, the power plant was

moved out of the floodplain to its

present location. In 2002, the power

plant tank farm was upgraded and a

new fuel line was installed between the plant and the beach. The power plant is located

across from the school and houses three diesel generators with a combined generating

capacity of 337 KW. Village power demands rose significantly in 1998 after all-electric

water pumps were installed. AVEC installed two new energy efficient generators during in

2003. The Cummins generator was last overhauled in August 2000. The Detroit Diesel

generator has been over hauled twice since 2003. The Cummins LTA10 has been over

hauled once since 1992. AVEC over hauls generators over 30,000 hours.The Anvik power

plant houses three generators with a combined total generation capacity of 495 kw. The

make, model, generation capacity and year installed for each generator is as follows:

make model Capacity date Installed

Caterpillar 1100 120 kw September 2003

Detroit Diesel 207 kw December 2003

Cummins LTA10 168 kw July 1992

Distribution System

Type: The distribution system is made up of overhead wiring, with a small amount

of underground wiring. The wiring is single-phase, 120/240 volts.


Condition: Fairly good. Excluding the airport, AVEC has been converting areas with

underground lines to overhead lines over the past five years.

Number of certified operators: There are two certified operators.

Major consumers not on the community power system: None.

Do any major electric power users have back-up power: The school and the water

plant have back-up generators.

Problems: Anvik and other villages in this area receive a lot of snow. When snow

slides off the metal roofs, it often bends the electric power masts, which can

sometimes result in pinched wires and interruptions in service.

The power plant fuel tanks have a combined maximum fill capacity of 77,466 gallons. The

tank farm is lined and bermed. The fuel tanks are located next to the power plant. They are

not located within the community consolidated tank farm which is located in a flood-

susceptible area. All electric power in Anvik is diesel-generated. In 2002, AVEC installed

three new 27,000-gallon horizontal, skid- mounted tanks, with a combined maximum fill

capacity of 77,466 gallons. These replaced six older BIA-style vertical diesel fuel tanks, one

of which was left on site for emergency spill response.

Condition: The tanks are new and are in good condition. The tank farm is lined and

beamed. Because of its inland location, Anvik’s air is relatively salt-free, resulting in

low corrosion levels. Rural Alaska Fuel Services inspects the tanks yearly.

Problems: None. In addition to new tanks, recent improvements include the

installation of a new fuel line between the power plant and the beach in 2002.

Previously, AVEC used a 2-inch line owned by the school. Fuel was off-loaded below

the airport and went uphill, under the r u n w a y and then down to the school.

AVEC hooked up a T-hose to the school line to fill its tanks. Not only did the barge

company not like this arrangement, but the Alaska Department of Transportation

and Public Facilities wanted the fuel line moved from under the airport runway.

The school now reportedly trucks its fuel needs from the main community tank

farm.


Community Bulk Fuel Storage

Anvik has two separate fuel tank farms.

Deloy Ges, Inc. (formerly Ingalik, Inc.), Anvik Tribal Council, the City of Anvik, the

Iditarod Area School District and the Anvik Commercial Company own one tank farm.

It is located 650 feet south of the Anvik River. Construction of this facility was

completed in 1999. The total storage capacity is 97,800 gallons. Gasoline, AV gas and

heating fuel are stored there. The annual amount of fuel delivered to the Anvik Fuel

Storage Company is less than 70,000 gallons.

The other fuel tank farm is owned by AVEC. It is located 200 feet north of the school

and adjacent to the Anvik Airport. Upgrades to the AVEC tank farm were made in

2002. The total gross storage capacity is 81,000 gallons, with a maximum fill capacity

of 74,666 gallons. The fuel consumption in Anvik for the AVEC fuel farm was 37,000

gallons in 2000. Both tank farms are in good condition and no further improvements

are needed.


Anvik Fuel Storage Company

The Anvik Fuel Storage Company, formed as a cooperative effort between the Deloy Ges

(formerly Ingalik) Corporation, the City of Anvik, the Anvik Traditional Council, the Iditarod

Area School District, and the Anvik Commercial Company with the assistance of the former

Division of Energy, now the Alaska Energy Authority.

The tank farm is approximately 650 feet south of the Anvik River. It is located on a previously

undeveloped parcel of land on the old school site and is about 400 feet south of the old AVEC

power plant. The site was acquired from the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska. The facility consists

of a tank farm with six tanks, two marine receiving pipelines and associated fill/withdrawal

piping, and a dispensing station and bulk fuel transfer area. In addition, there are single

intermediate storage tanks at the school, City and Council buildings. Fuel is delivered to the

school and Council intermediate tanks by truck and to the City intermediate tank by

pipeline. The dispensing station is 50 feet north of the tank farm. Truck and container filling

is conducted at the bulk transfer area adjacent to the tank farm.

The consolidated bulk fuel tank farm facility in Anvik was completed in 1999. The tank farm

has a total storage capacity of 97,800 gallons. It houses one 25,800 gallon tank for unleaded

gasoline, three 20,000 gallon tanks (one of which is divided into two cells), and two 6,000

gallon tank, one for Avgas, and the other divided into two cells for 3,000 gallons of heating

fuel and 3,000 gallons of gasoline. The fuel in the 20,000 gallon tank with two cells is owned

by the City of Anvik and the Iditarod Area School District. The rest of the fuel is cooperatively

owned and blended in storage. The tank farm and tanks are in very good condition. Except

for one 3,000 gallon tank that was cleaned, and inspected inside and outside, and modified

to meet code, all the remaining tanks were new single wall tanks that were installed when

the tank farm was built.

All of the tanks are located within a 54-foot by 60-foot impound area that is surrounded by a

two-foot high earthen dike. The impound area and dike walls are covered with a reinforced


polyether urethane membrane and non-woven geotextile fabric above and below. The liner is

covered with gravel fill. Net capacity of the impound is about 43,000 gallons, enough to

provide containment for the contents of the largest tank plus eight inches of freeboard for

precipitation. Storm water is removed from the impound with a manually operated portable

pump. Because the entire site is within the 100-year flood plain, the top of the dike was

designed to meet flood mitigation requirements.

Type of foundations at tank farm: All tanks are horizontal and have integral steel

skids that are positioned on treated timbers on grade. The tanks are primed, painted

and labeled.

Types of fuel piping systems: Two marine receiving pipelines extend about 625 feet

from the tank farm to the fill connections located about 50 feet from the river.

Marine headers on each pipeline are protected by steel bollards. The pipelines are

buried. One pipe is a two-inch diameter AV gas delivery line that runs directly to the

AV gas tank in the tank farm. The second pipe is a four-inch diameter dual product

line that terminates in the tank farm. A transfer hose, provided by the barge, is used

to connect the marine pipeline to the tank fill manifold. Within the tank farm, the fill

piping is three-inch diameter and the withdrawal piping is two-inch diameter. Joints are

welded, except for flanged or threaded joints that connect to valves and pumps. Piping

is well secured with struts welded to tanks and pipe straps to timber supports.

Estimated existing annual village fuel usage: The amount of fuel delivered to Anvik is

usually less than 70,000 gallons. The design capacity of the new tank farm was based

on an annual use of 75,000 gallons, made up of 18,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline,

6,000 gallons of AV gas and 51,000 gallons of heating fuel.

Frequency of fuel delivery by barge: Once or twice per year.

Improvements needed: No physical improvements are needed.

Proposed/planned fuel storage additions/improvements: None.


AVEC Bulk Fuel Storage

The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) tank farm is located at the power plant

approximately 200 feet north of the Anvik School and adjacent to the Anvik Airport. The

entire site is over 150 feet above the Yukon River and is not subject to flooding.

The AVEC tank farm has a gross storage (shell) capacity of 81,000 gallons and a maximum fill

capacity of 77,466 gallons. Three new, single wall, 27,000 gallon, horizontal tanks were

installed in the summer of 2002. The tank farm is in good condition. The AVEC tank farm has

an earthen berm dike, with a new membrane liner installed during the 2002 tank farm

upgrade. A non-woven geotextile fabric is placed above and below the liner to minimize the

risk of puncture or damage. The new liner is placed above the old liner that was in place

prior to 2002 improvements. A 4-inch deep layer of gravel cover is placed over the new liner

across the dike floor and a 4-inch deep cellular confinement grid is installed over the liner on

the interior dike walls to hold the gravel cover in place on the side slopes.

Type of foundations at tank farm: The three new tanks have integral steel skids that

are positioned on treated timbers at grade.

Type(s) of fuel piping systems: A welded steel pipe runs from the tank farm to the

beach, a distance of about 2,000 feet. Within the tank farm, the 3-inch piping

between the tanks is welded and flanged.

Estimated existing annual village fuel usage: In 2000 the Anvik power plant

consumed a total of 37,000 gallons of diesel fuel. According to AVEC’s current model

for load growth, the projected annual fuel consumption for Anvik is 58,000 gallons for

the year 2011 (157% of the current consumption).

Frequency of fuel delivery by barge: Usually once or twice per year.

Improvements needed: None.

Proposed/planned fuel storage additions/improvements: None

Sources of information and date: Brent Petrie, AVEC May 17, 2004


Communications 3

Anvik’s primary form of communications is through satellite and the U.S. Postal Service.

Additional communications is available through the public radio station serving the area.

Telephone/Cellular, Internet, and the public broadcasting system are offered through satellite

communication. Television is offered through Dish Network and is dependent on individual

homeowners purchasing their own satellites and paying for the service directly. KSKO public

radio station is broadcast to Anvik and the surrounding areas via transmitter. Until the recent

introduction of KSKO (2000), internet service, and cellphone, communication systems have

steadily improved compared to urban areas throughout Alaska and the United Stated, the

communication system in Anvik is still at its early stages.

Telephone Service

Bush-Tell Incorporated provides in-state telephone communications, with long-distance service

by AT&T Alascom. Bush Tell incorporated provides telephone service in Anvik and internet

service (although it is offered at a higher rate than GCI). In 2016 there are a total of 24 local line

lines because of the increase use and reliability of cell phone service. The long-distance service

has always been somewhat unreliable and we have found that the cell service has been

cheaper and more reliable.

Bush-Tell incorporated in 1969. However, Anvik received its first telephone, a single telephone

serving the whole community in 1970 from RCA Alaska. Bush-Tell established household service

to Anvik on November 13, 1981. Bush-Tell Inc. leases land from the City of Anvik for their

switchgear building and accompanying antenna to provide local service. AT & T, which provides

long- distance phone service to Anvik, co-locates their equipment with Bush-Tell Inc.Bush-Tell

offers customers additional telephone features which include; call forwarding, call waiting,

redialing last number called, selective call rejection, 3-way calling, wake-up call, local restricted

dialing and automatic call-back for an extra $12 per month. As of 2016, the basic monthly

3 Sources for Communications information and date: Bush-Tell, Inc. GCI February 2016. Tamra Truett Jerue

February 2016


residential household charges are $28.10 including tax. Basic monthly business charges with no

features are $43.90 including tax.

Problems with system: Currently there are long distance problems with the telephone

services. When the weather gets hot in the summer, the long distance lines often do not

work. The caller identification (Caller ID) feature is not available to customers because

AT&T does not have a SS7 function in their lines to provide for the feature.

Proposed/planned extensions of service or upgrading of system: Normal expansion

resulting from population projections and construction of new homes.

GCI and Telcom set up the Cell/Internet towers in 2010 and cell phone service started in 2013.

GCI leases a building from the City of Anvik to house all of its equipment. They have towers

located near the VOR site and one on top of the airport DOT shop. As of 2016, basic charge for

cell service and for the basic phone is $29.99, this changes compared to the type of phone, type

of service and how many phones per account. This cost per cell phone is similar to often areas

in Alaska. There are approximately 61 cellphones in Anvik, but not numbers are local Anvik

numbers.

Internet Services

In 2005 the Anvik Tribal Council provided Internet to community residents through services

obtained from Advanced Interactive, Inc. Bush Tell also provides internet service through a

contract with GCI. DRS provides Internet service to the school. GCI provides internet and cell

phone service. Often times satellite and telephone connections are poor or sporadically

unavailable.

Misc. Services

The community uses marine band radio to communicate within Anvik, with individuals traveling

via boat on local rivers and for inter-village communication with Grayling, Shageluk and Holy

Cross as radio reception is available. Residents regularly use VHS radio and inter-villages

communications with Grayling, Shageluk and Holy Cross as well as communication with and

between river boats while traveling.


Public Facilities

Water Service

Anvik residents obtain water at

the washeteria, the Deloy Ges

building or from individual wells.

Residents primarily use the

washeteria or their individual

wells. The water at the Deloy Ges

building is a secondary water

source.

The first community well was

developed by the Indian Health Service in the late 1970s. The Anvik washeteria was built in

1986 and has washers, dryers and showering facilities4. A community circulating water

system, with a central water treatment plant, was investigated but was rejected by the

community because of high operation and maintenance costs associated with such a

system. The washeteria served as the central watering, shower and laundry facility until

1993 when HUD/IRHA built 10 new houses in the Hawk Bluff and Riverview subdivisions, with

each house receiving an individual well. In 1996, the Indian Health Service drilled an

additional 25 individual wells and connected the wells to homes. The City of Anvik employs

one certified water operator and one alternate, who works as needed.

Local residents and visitors still depend on the washeteria but overall use has decreased.

Currently there are 13-17 households which regularly use the washeteria, however use has

steadily declined as individuals and families obtain their own washing machines and/or

dryers. The use of the washeteria does increase annually in the summer season. There is a

daily average consumption rate of 300 to 400 gallons at the washeteria.

4 There are five washers and four dryers, two restrooms and the water treatment equipment located in the

washeteria. The men’s restroom has a shower and sauna. The women’s restroom has a shower and bathtub.


2016 Rates charged:

Small washer rate = $2 per load

Medium washer rate = $3 per load

Large washer rate = $4 per load

Dryer rate = $.25 for 10 minute dry

(average load = $1.50)

Water rate = No cost

Problems with washeteria: The boiler is getting old but is still usable. There are currently 5

washers, two which are working, and three dryers. Three of the washers are single load and

were originally installed with the three dryers when the washeteria was built. These original

washers need to be replaced, as they have heavy rust stains and replacement parts are not

available. The dryers need replacing. The bearings are going out and the dryers are often

broken down. The one medium and one large size heavy- duty washers were installed 10

years ago and are still usable. The washeteria boiler and washers need upgrading. The

Denali Commission currently has a program for the construction and upgrading of washeteria.

Water Treatment

The water is treated with a water softener, but it is not fluoridated. The washeteria needs

to be upgraded. Parts are now difficult to obtain, the boiler needs to be upgraded, and

washers and dryers need replacing. The water quality of individual wells is poor and

homeowners use the poor water, haul drinking water or purchase an individual water

softener unit for their home. The City of Anvik completed a water-sewer feasibility study and

business plan in May 2006, and is pursuing funding to rehabilitate the washeteria.

Individual wells

Many of the wells have poor water quality. Those homeowners with poor water quality

either use poor water or invest in a water softener system. At least one shallow well in the

uphill area has failed.:Individuals are responsible for maintaining their own wells.


Health Clinic

The first clinic in Anvik was originally

housed in the old mission building,

currently named the Chase-Chapman

Building, approximately 30-35 years

ago (during the 1960s). Rena Kruger

and Nellie Wharton were local health

aides then. The clinic was then

moved to the Arctic Mission House.

However the house was too cold, so it was eventually moved to the Ingalik Corporation

building. Since the clinic space at the corporation was too small, a new clinic building was

constructed in 1998.

The current facility is a 1050 square foot health clinic, dedicated to Anvik’s first Health Aide-

Agnes Kruger-was built in Anvik by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) in

1998. YKHC provides health care services and the City of Anvik operates and maintains the

clinic. It’s located in mid-town Anvik, next to the Anvik Washeteria. The building is a one-story

frame constructed building, 20 x 30 feet There is a waiting room, two exam rooms, an office, a

bathroom, a storage room and kitchenette with a folding bed for clinic guests.. The clinic does

have telemedicine equipment, which is being used. The building is too small for Anvik’s

population and needs to be expanded to 2000 square feet.

Clinic staff: 1 health aid at the moment and back up float if needed.

Number of health professional visits per year: The medical doctor and dentist visit the

clinic once a year. The eye doctor visits once every two years. The Public Health Services

nurse visits twice a year.

Proposed/planned improvements or replacement: The City of Anvik is seeking a new

health care facility for Anvik. It will either construct the new clinic on property they

own or negotiate a new site on land owned by Deloy Ges, Inc.


Education

The Blackwell School in Anvik provides

education from Kindergarten through

the 12th grade Blackwell is included in

the Iditarod Area School District. The

main school building was constructed

in 1979 and has three classrooms, a

library and a gymnasium and is

generally in good condition.

The school is staffed by two certified

teachers, one para-professional educator, an Athabascan language instructor, a cook and

janitor. School enrollment has been declining in recent years, due partly to high school

students choosing to pursue their education elsewhere, such as Project Education Regional

Boarding School in Galena. With declining student enrollment and state educational budget

cuts, the Iditarod Area School District is unable to offer career education, counseling and

other extra-curricular activities.

The playground located in front of the Blackwell School that was built in 2011 and is in good

working condition. There is also a small wooden platform is located on the Blackwell School

grounds. It was formerly used by

Anvik youth as a basketball court

however, the hoop was taken down

with the dismantling of the

playground, its size is inadequate and

its condition is poor. Youth have

informally expressed a desire for a

new basketball court. The community


of Anvik will explore the possibility of building a new basketball court in conjunction with a

suitable playground area and complimentary to frequently used public buildings.

The Anvik Community Library is co-housed with the Blackwell School Library. The City of Anvik

and the Anvik Tribal Council received separate state and federal library funding, which is

administered through the Iditarod Area School District. The community library was originally

established in 1994-95 and moved to the school library in 2000. Short-term plans included

increasing the number and variety of bestsellers, Alaskan, crafts, cookbooks and young

children’s books.

Recreation

Anvik uses the Blackwell School Gymnasium for indoor after-school recreation, which

primarily takes place between early winters to spring. The Blackwell School formerly had a

small playground. However, the equipment was disassembled due to safety hazards in the

spring of 2003. The teen center, located at the Deloy Ges, Inc. building, is used for youth

recreation occasionally. In addition, bingo games are presently held two times a week in the

city building.

Commonly used recreation areas outside of Anvik include John Deacon’s gravel bar on the

Anvik River and the Sandbar on the Yukon River across from the mouth of the Anvik River. The

community would like to build a playground/ice skating rink somewhere within the community,

either by the City Building or by the Tribal Council building.

The teen center, located in the Deloy Ges, Inc. building, is considered a recreational place

for community youth. Although it is available, it is no longer open on a regular basis. See the

description about the Deloy Ges, Inc. Building for information on the Anvik Teen Center.


Anvik has a “park” located at t h e end of the Park Road, on the east side of the airfield.

The park is inactive and currently is overgrown with brush and willows. There is an old picnic

table and outhouse located there. There are a variety of unofficial recreational places that

are utilized by residents. Community members use the sandbar across from Anvik, on the

Yukon River as a summer picnic and campfire area. John Deacon’s gravel river bar, on the

Anvik River is also another favorite community picnic and sports fishing area.

There is an informally recognized open space area near the community garden. The area

overlooks the boat landing and old mouth of the Anvik River. Benches to view the river are

located there. The area is used as a river lookout point. Community members frequent the

site to view the river, visit, watch incoming boats and check river conditions. Increased

vehicular traffic-ATV and roadway vehicles-have impacted the area. Anvik may formally

establish this area as open space for community use and care; possibly adding a picnic area.

Proposed/planned improvements: Plans have been informally discussed to build a

playground and/or skating area in front of the city/washeteria area or near the tribal office

building. Some of the AFN Wellness funding was used for game purchases associated with

the teen center.

Historic Area

A number of older buildings are located downtown. Christ Church Anvik, the Chase-

Chapman Mission Building, the Episcopal Church rectory (currently the Anvik Tribal

Office/AHS building), the former Anvik Commercial Company and an older Jerue family

home are located in the same general place. The idea of establishing the area as an historic

area has been informally brought up. As land and resource management issues are clarified

locally, the community may consider this possibility.


Cemeteries

Anvik has two cemeteries,

both owned by the Episcopal

Diocese of Alaska. One is

located behind the old Anvik

Mission Building on top of

Deloy Ges Hill. The other faces

the Yukon River, in front of

the new housing site further

along the Deloy Ges Hill.

Additionally there are old graves located between each of the grave sites and further

down Deloy Ges Hill5, or Hawk Bluff, as far “the Post.” Approximately 250 people are recorded

buried at both sites and space for new graves at both cemeteries is becoming limited. The

community needs to identify areas for cemetery expansion.

Proposed/planned expansion of cemetery: Currently there are no plans for expansion

although the community needs to consider cemetery expansion. Both cemeteries and

individual graves located in each are cleaned up annually on Memorial Day. The Anvik

Historical Society has led a volunteer initiative to mark all of the existing graves where

individual or family information is available for grave sites.

5 Deloy Ges Hill or Hawk Bluff was traditionally used as a cemetery prior to contact. However, once missionaries

arrived in Anvik, the Episcopal Church obtained the ground and formally used it as a cemetery.


Anvik Tribal Council & Anvik Historical Society Office Building

The Anvik Historical

Society Museum was

built in 1959 and it

provided through a

long term

agreement/lease with

episcopal diocese on

the building. It is a one

story log construction

with a full basement

dug into the ground

(1,125 sq feet). The

building has a cement foundation. Beams from the former mission-building gymnasium are

used in the building. The building is located down town, in the older area of town next to

the old Episcopal Mission Building, not far from the boat docking area at the mouth of the

Anvik River Slough. It was previously the Anvik Tribal Council Office. The tribal council

offices were moved in October 2015 into the new Anvik Tribal Hall/Office.

The building did receive upgrades since its initial construction including: double pane

windows installed and garage built in the 1990s; and furnace system and roof replaced

early 2000s. The building is currently in poor condition and needs major renovations. The

Anvik Tribal Council would like to renovate it for the Tribal Public Safety building to include

Jail cells, VPSO TPO offices and tribal court chambers. 6

6 Source of information: Tami Jerue January 25, 2016


Anvik Tribal Hall and Office7

The building serves

multiple functions

for the community

and is owned by the

Anvik Tribal Council.

The log building

was constructed

from 2008-2010

and is

approximately

3,800 sq. feet. It is located in mid-town Anvik near other community buildings, such as the

Deloy-Ges, Inc., post office, city building, washeteria and clinic. The building houses The

Anvik Tribal Council Offices, Elder Nutrition, Community Gatherings/activities, Tribal

court, Youth activities and lodging for out of towners. It is primarily used Monday through

Friday about nine to six hours a day. More hours used for gatherings during events.

Condition of the building: Excellent.

Estimated remaining useful life: Forty years with improvements made as needed.

Date/description of major additions/repairs to building: Renovated part of the

building for the Anvik Tribal Offices. Also upgraded the water system and the

doors.

Proposed/planned improvements: Planned improvements include heating, more

lighting (LED lights) and to get solar energy.

7 Source of Information Tami Jerue and Carl Jerue January 13-14, 2016


Anvik City Building8

The building is used for

office space, Bingo, city

meetings, the Iditarod

check point, elections

and lodging. It is owned

and operated by the

City of Anvik. The two-

story 6,400 sq. foot log

building was

constructed in 1984-

1986. The 1st story, or

ground floor, has a

large open room, single bathroom, mechanical room and an extra room used for storage

near the rear of the building. The 2nd story has four office rooms, a small sink and kitchen

cabinet area, and a single bathroom and a large open room for lodging. Current

problems with the building include: Water freezes up during the cold winters and

the down stairs walls are rotting, getting to old. The building is located in mid-town Anvik

near the washeteria, clinic and new tribal hall/office. There are six city employees that

utilize the building. The City Clerk usually works 3 hours daily from 12-3 p.m., five days a

week. The Janitor for the City of Anvik works as needed. Also the Environmental works

from 9am-5pm.

Condition of building: Fair.

Estimated remaining useful life: Approximately 40 plus years.

Date/description of major additions/repairs to building: unknown

Proposed/planned improvements: No planned improvements.

8 Source of Information: Christine Elswick, Anvik City Clerk . January 25, 2016


Deloy Ges, Inc. Office Building9

The building serves as office space

for Deloy Ges General Manager,

meeting space for corporation

board meetings, a convenience

store and is a watering point for a

handful of Anvik community

members. It is owned and

operated by the Deloy Gas

Company and was constructed in

2011. It is located in mid-town Anvik, near the post office. The building is open weekdays from

9am-3pm and 7pm-8pm and is primary used by a staff of (3) employees.

Condition of building: Excellent

Estimated remaining useful life: unknown

Date/description of major additions/repairs to building: No recent major additions or

repairs to the building.

Proposed/planned improvements: No planned improvements.

9 Sources of information and date: Christine Elswick January 25, 2016


Richardson Store10

The Richardson’s is open 7 hours

a day for 5 days a week from

11am-5pm and 7pm-8pm. Also 6

hours on Saturday and 3 hours

on Sunday. The building is

located in uptown Anvik and is

used for a small convenience.

The frame building is

approximately 32x40/1,280

square feet and was constructed in March 9th, 1999 by owner Renee Richardson11. Before it was

constructed Renee operated the store in the back of her house.

Condition of building: The building is in good condition.

Estimated remaining useful life: Good for a long time.

Date/description of major additions/repairs to building: Three years ago they built a

dry/cold storage in the back of the store. The storage is approximately 8x16 feet.

Upgraded the flash board to make the floor warmer in June of 2015. Upgraded the lights

to LED lights two years ago.

Proposed/planned Improvements: Improve the flooring and get energy efficient.

10

Source of Information and date: Renee Richardson January 22, 2016

11 Renee Richardson built and owns the Holy Cross Enterprise Store located in Holy Cross. The Holy Cross

Enterprise store is open from 12pm-5:30 for 6 days a week and Sunday from 1pm-3pm.


Law Enforcement and Protection12

Tanana Chiefs Conference’s administers the State of Alaska Village Public Safety Officer

Program. The Anvik Tribal Council operates its own Tribal Police Officer program. In past years,

the Anvik Tribal Council has received the COPS grant and contributed to the joint service of

police protection. Anvik also depends on the Alaska State Troopers based in Aniak and Bethel.

There are, on average, 2-5 misdemeanors a month and 5-10 felonies a year (high estimate).

As of December 2015, there is one full-time unfilled Tribal Public Safety Officer position and

one full-time unfilled COPS position. Their offices are located in the Anvik Tribal Hall. There is a

small building next to the Anvik Tribal Hall for the holding cell.

Police equipment includes an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), a snowmobile, a laptop computer

provided by Tanana Chiefs Conference, a telephone, a handheld radio, a vest and uniform,

pepper spray, taser and a baton. Tanana Chiefs Conferences provides this equipment for the

VPSO position and the Anvik Tribal Council provides this equipment for the Tribal Police Officer

position. They also have office equipment, including a computer, telephone, satellite phone and

hand-held radio.

The Tribal Police Officer has an office located in the 2nd story of the Anvik City Building (built

in 1986). The office includes a desk and filing cabinet. There is no holding cell in the office or

city building, which is a problem.

Condition of public safety offices: Good.

Estimated remaining useful life: It has approximately 15–20 years of estimated useful

life.

Date/description of major additions/repairs to public safety offices: None. Regular

updates to both buildings are done by the owners of the buildings.

Proposed/planned additions or improvements to public safety offices or program: The

Anvik Tribal Council with the help of Tanana Chiefs Conference has a small building beside the Tribal Hall

that is used for a holding cell.

12

Sources of information and date: Tami Jerue, Tribal Administrator. February 23, 2016


Fire Safety and Protection13

Currently there is no provider of local fire protection services for the community of Anvik.

Anvik does not have a fire station. The City of Anvik formerly received funding for a fire hall,

which did not get completed and is now used as a city shop. Additionally, there are no water

sources available for firefighting within the community. There have been three serious fires in

the last ten years.

The Anvik City and Tribal Councils in 2003 purchased the Code Red Fire Suppression Kit for

local fire suppression efforts. Local training to use the Code Red Fire Suppression kit was

offered for volunteers. The kit is a self-contained unit, which is capable of putting out fires in

up to four houses. The kit will not freeze and its refillable suppression foam can be re-

ordered as needed. It is located near the city building and is able to be towed by All-Terrain

Vehicle or Snow machine. An obstacle to this fire suppression equipment is the cost of

refilling the foam in the equipment, it currently hasn’t been refilled.

Out of a total of 38 occupied homes, there are estimated 10-15 homes without working

fire extinguishers. A program to inspect and fill individual fire extinguishers is needed.

There are estimated 5-10 homes without fire/smoke detectors. Major problems with

community fire protection in Anvik, are a lack of organized response, no collective

community training and little equipment.

Proposed/planned additions of equipment/buildings: The Anvik Tribal Council would like

to purchase an additional 1 to 2 fire suppression kits to be strategically located in other

areas of town. Both the City and Tribal governments would like to see Code Red Fire

Suppression training for additional community members or have the two trained

community members provide a community wide orientation to the kit as follow-up to

the training they received in July 2003.

13

Sources of information and date: Tami Jerue, Tribal Administrator February 23, 2016


Search and Rescue14

Search and rescue activities are presently conducted by village residents on a volunteer basis,

with assistance from the Anvik Tribal Council. The local area of Anvik is served and the

surrounding communities of Grayling, Shageluk and Holy Cross are readily assisted during

emergencies. Approximately five people the VPSO, and the Tribal Police Officer (when positions are

filled) as that position is held, currently coordinate the Search and Rescue services. People use

their own equipment to search the area when people are reported missing. This is likely to

continue in the future, although a more formalized search and rescue response service is

needed. Basic CPR/1st Aide training is offered occasionally to residents and search and rescue

volunteers. There is no search and rescue center.

Equipment available: Search and rescue volunteers use their own radios,

snowmobiles, boats, ATVs and gas. The Anvik Tribal Council may, at times, donate gas.

Number of search and rescue volunteers: Six to ten volunteers respond to

emergencies when needed.

Proposed/planned additions of equipment: The community of Anvik plans to hold

fundraisers, through special bingo, for future search and rescue equipment and

training.

14

Sources of information and date: Tami Jerue, Tribal Administrator; July 18, 2002; Updated February 23, 2016


Economy

Existing Economy

Local cash employment opportunities in Anvik are limited. The primary employers offering full-

time employment, in addition to part-time positions, include Blackwell School, the Anvik Health

Clinic operated by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, The U.S. Postal Service, the Anvik

Tribal Council and the State of Alaska Department of Transportation. Other part-time and

seasonal employers include Deloy Ges, Inc. (the local ANCSA Corporation), The City of Anvik,

Richardson’s Store and AVEC, Inc. Additionally small number of residents are employed outside

of the community, working on Alaska’s North Slope.

There are few year-round, wage earning full-time positions. Residents primarily earn income

through either seasonal or part-time work or on local short-term projects. Some residents grow

home produce by gardening. Anvik is considered a distressed area by the Denali Commission.

According to the 2000 U.S. Censes, 44.2% of the community residents were living below the

federal poverty guidelines with an unemployment rate of 27.5%. The per capita income was

$8,081. The Western Alaska Economic Diversification Strategy June 2002 report, which profiles

economic self-sufficiency issues in western Alaska, describes village economies as having a

subsistence base, with a demand for cash to access everyday necessities, pay utilities and

pursue subsistence activities. Employment ranges from a handful of full-time to mostly part-

time or seasonal opportunities. Prior to the disastrous fishing seasons to that began in the

1990s, Anvik had a commercial salmon economic base that brought new money into the

community. Given the poor salmon returns, depressed prices and international competition for

farmed fish, Anvik’s commercial fishing economy has collapsed. The local economies picture is

now a combination of:

Private sector support (such as the grocery store, gas business & guiding).

Government spending through housing improvements, program delivery, education,

and infrastructure improvements (such as the new bulk fuel storage farms) and;

Transfer payments such as the permanent Fund Dividend and assistance to individuals.


Subsistence

The Deg Hit’an or people of Anvik have historically hunted, gathered and fished for a living.

Anvik is not characterized by a mixed subsistence and cash economy. Hunting and gathering,

still provide the mainstays of the community. Residents rely heavily on taking of fish, migratory

birds, and small and big game, which is the basis of the local economy and promotes local self-

reliance. Annual Chinook, Coho and chum salmon, along with other non-salmon fish species

and moose are major subsistence resources. Trapping has historically been a significant factor

in the economy, and continues to provide a small income for residents who still practicing

trapping. Subsistence resources are critical and all houses participate and rely heavily on the

harvesting, consuming or sharing or resources (wheeler pm 119). Subsistence is the foundation

of the lifestyle and economy in Anvik, like many other village communities. In the past and

today tribal members rely on traditional foods available within traditional use areas. Complex

community history and knowledge of fishing, hunting and gathering area perpetuates this

lifestyle. From a community perspective, the viability and future of a subsistence lifestyle for

the community is intimately associated with the sustainability and health of local resources.

Anvik’s current mixed subsistence/cash economy grew out of a subsistence hunter-gather

economy that existed prior to Russian-American contact. Anvik relies heavily on fishing

migrating up the Anvik and Yukon rivers and the taking of the big and small game.

Information shared at the local community planning meeting document that a subsistence

lifestyle is a core to making a living, maintaining culture and profoundly meaning and well-being

to the community.

The strategic location of the community at the mouth of the Anvik River provides a prime

location for the fish harvest. The results reveal the extent to which residents harvest other

species of fish and/or small game.

Research guided by traditional ecological knowledge can provide an important local and

regional community tool to address questions on “how to take care of the land and resources


for future generations in a rapidly changing world.” Traditional ecological knowledge represent

a holistic point of view, which can guide future decisions and policies.

There are a number of issues that affect local subsistence. In some instances, as in the case of

big game point of view, this can guide future decisions and policies. There are a number of

issues that affect local subsistence. In some instances, as in the case of big game guiding, there

are different pressures. In recent years there has been an increase in the local guiding

businesses. There hunters harvest area fish and game, which affects and has an impact on the

availability of game for local consumptive uses. With increased air carrier providers and the

number of available flights to the region, it is possible an increased in the number of outside

hunters can be expected in the future.

Wolf and bear populations, with their functions in population, can annually affect subsistence

activities, especially the annual subsistence harvest of moose.

Anvik is in the Yukon River Fisheries Management Area District 4a and Alaska Game

Management units 21e, with local representation through the Gash Regional Advisory Council.

Anvik also is in close proximity to the Innoko National Wildfire Refuge. The Western Interior

Regional Advisory Council on federal subsistence issues represents Anvik.


Barriers to Development

During one of the community planning meetings, Anvik residents identified a number of

barriers to develop:

Economic Conditions-The high cost of groceries, electricity, fuel, air travel, and freight

were identified as significant barriers to development

Subsistence-The increased pressure on moose hunting from wolf and bear predation

and outside hunters is affecting the availability of needed moose meat for local

residents. And the decline in fish runs, coupled with short subsistence openings means

less fish for year-round consumption. Less subsistence food resource to draw upon

increases the dependency on cash for purchasing

Maintaining Infrastructure-The cost of operating and maintaining local facilities and

utilities can affect development opportunities.

Needed Services-Anvik has no commercial lodging/ accommodations, restaurant/food

service or transportation rental and repair services.

Educational Limits-Residents identified the lack of local vocational training, higher

education and career guidance and counseling from the school district as a barrier to

development.

Reliance on and Fluctuation in Funding-The local economy, with its significant reliance

on government funded program and jobs, is greatly affected by fluctuations in program

funding and the award of any construction or infrastructure grant projects that

employ local residents.

Accessing Services-Organizations and agencies that assist with training opportunities

are not easily accessible. This lack of accessibility impacts awareness, consistent service

delivery and completion of many initiatives. For instance, Tanana Chiefs Conference’s

Youth Employment Service, is located in Fairbanks, and is not easily accessed by youth.

The ability to obtain state identification and driver’s licensing for employment is also

difficult.


Difficulties in Cultural Renewal and Maintenance—with no elder Deg Xinag speaker,

language revitalization is especially challenging for Anvik. There are few elders to guide

cultural renewal and maintenance.

Challenges to Maintaining a Strong Sense of Community— given the small and

fluctuating population in Anvik, coordinating and completing successful community

activities is done by a handful of residents. Building and maintaining a sense of

community when some individuals are consistently volunteering and others are not,

makes it challenging to complete development initiatives. For instance, Anvik has

targeted improved recreation in the community. To accomplish some of these projects,

help and participation from a broad range of community members—will assist in

fostering a stronger sense of community.

Conducting a study where local residents, Deloy Ges shareholders and tribal members living

outside of Anvik, are asked about social and historical issues in Anvik may reveal critical

developmental area to address. Exploring the areas of wellness, education, leadership,

subsistence lifestyle, cultural maintenance, economic issues, community responsibility,

community contribution, spiritual or religious renewal, leadership, the current effectiveness of

local government as it relates to local population fluctuations may identify solutions to local

barriers to growth and development. It may provide clarity in retaining young people and

growing the local population base. The national research done by Native Nations Institute

stresses the significance of looking at every tribal member, and in the case small primarily

Alaska Native communities, every community member as a potential investor, willing to

contribute time, energy, skills or resources to the community, and local life. Further local tribal,

corporate and municipal leadership may want to consider pursuing leadership and executive

education in the area of Native Nation-Building and collective community capacity building.


Focusing Community Economic Development

In the Cooperative Extension’s publication, Creating Healthy Communities-The Process of

Community Discovery, the author highlights three basic principles to guide community

economic development. Any economic initiative undertaken at the community level can be

considered within the context of these goals:

Sustainability-All community economic development goals should lead to a sustainable

economy.

Stability-All community economic development goals should promote economic stability.

Equity-All community economic development goals should promote economic equity.

In cultivating, creating and maintaining local economic opportunities, each one of the

governing entities may want to examine these concepts within the seasonal framework and

the collective values that guide local lifestyle. With challenges posed by weather, transportation,

and seasonal changes, the approaches in local community development need to be creatively

devised to build upon the local cultural, seasonal, human resource and environmental assets.

The community may want to explore such community development tools such as Asset

Mapping and answer the questions:

What is sustainable?

What is stable?

What is equitable?

How do our local businesses need to be managed and operated to meet our local

lifestyle and needs?


Economic Opportunity for Anvik

The Western Alaska Economic Diversification Strategy report titled, Local Decisions About Local

Economies, suggests the following strategies for improving western Alaska communities, such

as Anvik, that have a village economy;

• Create more businesses that match with local culture, values and subsistence lifestyle

• Where possible and aligned with community values, diversify Anvik’s economic base

or businesses that bring resources into the community

Creating an Environment for Growth, Sustainability and Stability within a

Cultural Framework

In an effort to encourage retention of community members, well-being and potential growth,

as well as address the barriers to development, the local leadership and the community may

consider ways to increase and cultivate resources in Anvik. There may be other factors

present in Anvik that affect development and population fluctuation.

In a study titled Alaska Native Self-Government and Service Delivery: What Works? by Stephen

Cornell and Joseph Kalt at University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute at the Udall Center

for Public Policy, several key points about development in tribal communities are examined

and linked to key research across national and international indigenous communities.

Due to questions being raised about Alaska Native self-governance, self-rule and the

practicality and efficiency of delivering services in small rural communities, the study asked the

basic question, “What is likely to work?” The study assumes the overall well-being of Alaska

Native Peoples.

The following quoted points summarize the key findings related to community planning and is

included here for easy reference when responding to the plan’s named goals:

“There is broad and robust evidence from diverse Native settings in the United States and

elsewhere that self-governing power, backed up by capable, effective and culturally


appropriate governing institutions, provide the most efficacious foundation of Native economic

and community development.”

“We [Native Nations Institute] see no reason to believe that the situation of Alaska Natives will

somehow defy research findings or that the well-being of Alaska Natives will improve as a

result of the withdrawal or narrowing of their self-governing powers. On the contrary, the

evidence strongly suggests that self-government—practical self-rule—is a necessary condition

for significant, long-term improvement in the welfare of rural Alaska Natives.

The core reasoning underlying both the research findings in the Lower 48 and their application

to Alaska is found in the concept of accountability: Devolution of self-governing powers

improves affected communities by bringing governmental decision-making closer to those most

directly affected by those decisions.”

“…there are reasons why Alaska Natives themselves may wish to more aggressively assert and

make changes in self-government and service delivery. First, there are the practical

requirements of effective self- governance across small and often isolated communities. To be

most effective, the design and capacity of governing institutions will have to fit this setting.

Second, policy eventually will have to address the gap between the requirements of effective

self-governance and service delivery and the limited availability of both human and financial

resources. In short, self- governance “on paper” is insufficient, on its own, to meet the needs of

societies trying to recover from generations of resource loss, paternalistic external controls,

and imposed governmental design. It must be backed up by creative institutional capacity-

building.

Such observations {stated above} compel the question: If aspects of Native governance and

service delivery were to be reorganized, what form should such reorganization take?

Extensive research makes clear that governmental design imposed by outsiders, particularly in

one-size-fits-all fashion, is unlikely to be successful in either economic or social terms. Such

broadly imposed solutions to major policy and institutional issues involving diverse Native


peoples in North America—including Alaska—have compiled a consistent record of failure:

failure to meet Native needs, failure to enlist Native support and participation, failure to

reduce federal or state financial burdens, and failure to satisfy standards of good public policy.

Not only do imposed solutions typically forego the benefits of local knowledge, but they also

sacrifice legitimacy with the citizens being governed.

The far more effective alternative is for Native peoples to generate governance and service

delivery solutions of their own. This is not a matter of consultation, voicing opinions, or

perfunctory “participation.” It instead requires that Native peoples be in the driver’s seat,

proposing and adopting concrete institutional, organizational, and managerial solutions that

reflect their own diverse preferences, cultures, circumstances, and needs. For Native peoples, it

is a matter of addressing the demanding requirements of effective self-governance: building

capable institutions, being realistic about how those institutions will have to be organized, and

governing well.

The small size of many Native communities means that effective self- governance in some cases

may require sharing self-governing institutions across communities. Cultural, historical, and

ecological bonds offer potential bases for cooperative institution-sharing. Such approaches to self-

government are being used effectively by Indian nations in the Lower 48 through intertribal

courts and other mechanisms that respect the sovereignty of individual nations while

addressing the demands of effective governance.

Similarly, effective service delivery in many cases may require shared programs even where

communities do not share governing institutions.

Lastly, that the situation of Alaska Natives is in some ways distinctive, we [Native Nations

Institute] believe it would be a mistake to ignore compelling evidence from indigenous nations

in the Lower 48, Canada, and elsewhere indicating that Native self-determination and self-

governance are critical keys to improvements in Native well-being.


• Encourage and provide work force training

• Explore and promote lower-cost or alternative energy

• Promote affordable infrastructure

Within this framework for local economic diversification, the report suggests promoting

import substitution and protecting subsistence to maintain and enhance economic opportunity

for a village economy.

Creating new and supporting current economic opportunity can be strengthened by

introducing and providing on-going community economic awareness and education.


Local Entrepreneurship Opportunities

The following is a list of local entrepreneurship opportunities that individuals and local entities

may want to explore and any small business that will assist community members to become

less dependent on importing needed household or community items. Such business could

include:

Production Local fresh foods

Cold weather gear— especially native mittens, fur hats, socks, moose skin boots, or uniquely knitted hats, gloves or scarves.

clothing or household items such as blankets or curtains.

wood products such as furniture, cabinetry, shelving, log-house packages.

specialty items to be marketed on a Web site. Any small business that will provide a service in demand

Local Services Reliable and regularly held childcare service.

Baby-sitting service outside of common work hours.

Restaurant or café.

Bed & breakfast.

Small-engine repair service.

Alternative energy systems, maintenance and servicing business.

A small band, group or association of musicians for musical entertainment during local events.

Tour business focused on the Iditarod Race Mid-way point experience.


Eeling

November 2003 marked the first-ever Arctic lamprey or eel commercial fisheries opening.

Anvik residents, primarily the male community members (governed by cultural traditions)

participated in the brief Arctic lamprey fishery, lasting only a few days. Eels were caught by dip

nets or locally made eeling sticks, then collected and transported by snow machine and sled,

approximately 20 miles upriver to Grayling to be sold to the buyer. Kwikpak Fisheries was

buying the eels for $1.25 a pound and flying them to markets in South Korea, with some being

sold in Anchorage, Alaska. It is uncertain if this fishery will be developed in the future. Little

research has been conducted on the Arctic lamprey. No one knows how far they migrate up the

Yukon River, the annual counts or where they spawn.

With a new and unused cannery in Anvik, owned by Bonasila, a subsidiary of Deloy Ges Inc.,

there may exist future opportunity to package this product for overseas and some local

markets. Given that the Arctic lamprey annual run is brief, with many long-term uncertainties, it

is unclear the level of economic impact such a fishery would have locally. To develop such a

market and operate the cannery, Bonasila would need to develop a business plan, operate and

manage the cannery, pursue potential markets and work with the community members in a

collective effort to maximize benefits for local residents.

Formation of Sub regional Economic Association

As mentioned in the goal section, Anvik is interested in increasing its economic opportunities

by forming a sub-regional economic association with the surrounding communities of Grayling,

Shageluk and Holy Cross.


Donlin Creek Mine Development

Donlin Creek gold deposit is located southeast of Anvik on part of Calista Regional Native

Corporation’s land. It is the largest undeveloped gold deposit in North American and one of the

largest in the world. Nova Gold Mining Company owns a 70% interest in the project in a joint

venture with Placer Dome, who owns 30% interest in the project. Placer Dome initiated a

Feasibility Study in 2004, and a decision to construct the mine will be made prior to 2007.

The State of Alaska is supporting resource development by analyzing and exploring

transportation infrastructure development that would facilitate access to the resource. A

Yukon River Port, located across from Holy Cross, which is 40 mile below Anvik, and a 60-mile

inland road from the port to the mining site is being looked at as potentially providing a fuel

depot or power generation site for the project. This scenario proposes to barge fuel and other


project support items and materials, up the Yukon River from the mouth, through prime

subsistence areas.

The State of Alaska’s Final Draft of the Resource Transportation Analysis Phase II-Yukon River

Port and Road Network, completed in January 2004, studies the possibility of constructing a

Yukon River Port across from Holy Cross and connecting road to Donlin Creek Mine, and

eventually a road network that would provide access to developing resources in the western

end of the Tintina Gold Belt. This proposed road network encompasses the area from Flat east

to McGrath/Takotna area and north to Ruby on the Yukon River.

The community of Anvik has a number of concerns and positions on the potential development

of Donlin Creek Mine in relation to Anvik’s overall economic, cultural, and environmental well-

being and subsistence lifestyle.

Anvik, like other rural primarily Alaska Native communities, is a community that has its

foundation and lifestyle in subsistence hunting and fishing. Cash income is a resource that

enhances our ability to pursue our subsistence lifestyle. Our concerns about the development

of the Yukon River Port across from Holy Cross, the connecting road to Donlin Creek and the

development of Donlin Creek Mine stem from the potential impact this development may have

on the Yukon River, the surrounding country and ultimately the core of our lifestyle and

values. There are mixed community reactions and feelings about the development of the Yukon

River Port across from Holy Cross and connecting road system. Anvik’s concerns include:

Long-term negative impact on or decline of the Yukon River fish run and moose

population in the Alaska Game Management Unit 21e.

Creating a “boom & bust” economic situation, with possible long- term negative impacts

on the renewable resources of fish and game. A boom & bust situation creates

dependency rather than sustainability in economic development.


Private and limited access would be attained by using the designation of “industrial roads” for

all routes connecting a port across from Holy Cross to the Kuskokwim River, to McGrath and

Takotna and Ruby. There would be unlimited access to fish and game if the mining development

roads receive any funding from the FHWA which would make all roads open to the public

resulting in greater demand and pressure on fish and wildlife resources. Barge traffic on the

Yukon River will increase substantially, which may detrimentally affect the short and long-term

salmon, white fish and eel runs. With increased barge traffic, delivery fuel at the Holy Cross there

is an increased potential for fuel spills and the resulting negative impact on the environment.

With a possible decline in the subsistence harvesting of fish and game, there is a parallel

negative effect on maintaining and cultivating our cultural lifestyle. For example, culturally and

historically, dried fish and “ice cream” made from white or pike fish, are two of the most

valued and significant food items to the Deg Hit’an. Historically when hosting guests from other

villages or celebrating during community feasts, these two items were served first and

considered delicacies. Families or long-held fishing partners cooperatively dry fish during the

summer. The preparing of fish ice cream historically entailed much cultural protocol.

Recognizing there may be potential positive economic opportunity, in the form of long term

employment possibilities and reduced freight costs for gas, fuel and food, with the Donlin

Creek Mine development the Community of Anvik has not taken a formal position on the

possible Yukon River Port across from Holy Cross, the associated infrastructure and road

network in the western end Tintina Gold Belt area and the development of Donlin Creek Mine.


Housing15

The community of Anvik has a total of 42 housing units, with 34 occupied units. The unoccupied

units are owned by people that are living outside of the community that choose not to rent out

their homes. Also there is 1 teacher apartment built into the school. Additionally there is one

teacher who rents a privately owned house from a community member.

The community planning inventory completed counted 3 units built under the Anvik Tribal

Council NAHASDA Program and 7 privately built units are in need of varying upgrades. The 10

HUD Mutual Help units have been conveyed in 2013/14 and are in need upgrades, depending

on the home. There was a major weatherization project completed in 2012 but it did not

address several homes that were seasonally occupied and are now are occupied year round.

Rehabilitation and Weatherization of Two Privately Owned Rentals

Deloy Ges, Inc., the local for-profit ANCSA village corporation will weatherize 2 single-family

rental units located behind the U.S. Post Office and along the Landfill or Charlie Wulf Road in

2006.

General Housing Characteristics (as of 2016)

Total number of housing units: 42

Occupied units 34

Vacant but habitable16 units 2

Vacant units not suitable for habitation17 6

Number of units occupied by Alaska Native families 37

Number of units occupied by non-Native families18 5

15

Sources of information and date: Tami Jerue, February 24, 2016 16

Habitable unit being defined as the home being either in good or fair condition, or where the cost of needed rehabilitation would not be more than the value of the structure. 17

(Deloy Ges Green House, B.Jerue’s cabin, Rita’s old house, red house on corner, and W.Chase old house) 18

(This number reflects temporary residents living in Anvik for a short-term work project)


Housing funding sources:

NAHASDA—Anvik Tribal Council. Built in 2000 (1) and 2003 (2) 3

HUD Mutual Help housing units (IRHA). All built in 1993 10

Privately built housing units 4119

Privately built but uninhabitable houses 6

Housing Condition (number of units 54)

Housing Source Good Fair Poor

Mutual Help housing units (IRHA) 10 0 0

NAHASDA units 3 0 0

Privately built units20 7 16 18

Estimated number of units Capable of Being rehabilitated (Total 31) 21

Number of homes needing improvement ............................................................................. 5

Number needing significant rehabilitation/home improvements ...................................... 16

Number needing critical rehabilitation/home improvements ............................................ 10

Planned rehabilitation & Construction of units

New construction of rental units ............................................................................................ 0

New construction of home ownership units ......................................................................... 0

Other housing improvements scheduled (private) .............................................................. 4

Rehabilitation of rental units22 .............................................................................................. 2

19

Of that 15 were built after 1990 20

Privately built uninhabitable = 6 included in the “privately built poor condition”(Find and alternative use or tear down) 2121

(exclusive of uninhabitable) 22

(Deloy Ges Inc. date for renovation undetermined)


Estimated Additional housing need (Total 7)

Number of families needing new units .......................................................................... 5

Number of units housing more than one family23 .......................................................... 2

Additional housing development Information

Are surveyed lots available for new home construction? No

Is land identified/proposed for new housing construction Yes

Are water and sewage utility services available for new home construction?

Water— Have to dig wells

Sewage—Piped system

Are new home sites accessible by road? Yes

Will electric power lines need to be extended? Yes

Are new home sites likely to be affected by flooding? No

Are new home sites likely to be affected by erosion? Yes

If water/sewer utilities are not available, is construction planned? Yes

If construction is planned, when will it take place? Varies

Additional Comments:

New home site may be located on gradual hillside, along the proposed

new airport access road. If the land needs to be cleared/leveled/cut

into the hillside, the building site may experience some erosion. The local

housing program will need to explore ways to minimize this potential

erosion through minimal clearing, construction of buildings, and/or

landscaping that addresses erosion control.

23

A unit with more than one family is one which groups of people who would not normally be expected to have their own housing, e.g. a unit which belongs to the parents, but which also houses an adult child, his or her spouse and their children or a unit which houses a senior citizen and his or her adult children. two single adults living together counts as a single unit of one family.


Transportation

Transportation by air and the boat provided the main access in and to Anvik. During winter

months, Anvik may be reached by Snow machine, depending on the amount on snow, the

freezing of the Yukon River and conditions of local trails. Individuals also use personal vehicles,

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV).

Located on the Kuskokwim River, Aniak is the nearest hum community providing services to

Anvik. In the past McGrath was a major hub for Anvik, however, this changed in the past,

minimal services is provided from McGrath. This reflects a shift in the provision of services.

Although it is located within the Tanana Chiefs Conference region, Anvik receives public safety

services and intermediary health services form Aniak. Critical health, mental health and alcohol

treatment services from Bethel.

Airport24

Anvik Airport is located .5 mile south east of town and operated/owned by the State of Alaska.

The gravel runway is in a good condition, and is 4000 feet in length and made 75 feet wide. A

150-foot apron was added and new airport lighting installed, the completion of the new runway

was in 2008. Airport maintenance equipment based in the village includes a Grader and a Loader.

List scheduled air carriers serving the village:

Hageland/Ravn delivers passengers, mail and freight 2 x a day, 7 days a week, and Ryan Air

delivers passengers and freight 1 x a day x 3 days a week. Both of these carriers are based in

Aniak. There are charters from around the state that utilize the airport sporadically. Air service

to Anvik is two times daily Monday-Sunday by several of the air carriers And one times daily for

about 3 days a week for Ryan Air

24

Sources of information: Robert Walker, Anvik Airport Maintenance Contractor; Dave Sanches, State of Alaska DOT &

PF; Ethan Birkholz, State of Alaska DOT and PF


Barge and Boat Landing25

Anvik has no permanent dock facilities. However there is a gravel landing pad, where the barge

delivering bulk fuel often docks and delivers fuel to the tank farm south of landing pad. The

boat landing is located directly in front of old Episcopal Mission Building. Barged freight to

Anvik is delivered to the boat landing using heavy wooden boards extending from the barge to

shore to off-load freight. Fuel delivery takes place at the barge docking area, which is a gravel

pad sloping down the river bank close to the boat landing area and just north of the Anvik

Community Bulk Fuel storage area.

There will soon be a need for a future dock or accessible barge-landing site. The old mouth of

the Anvik River, in “front” of the community near “The Point,” is filling up with river silt and a

sandbar is forming. Eventually the barge docking and boat land areas will not be accessible, and

new docking and boat landing areas will need to be established. The barge docking area

occasionally used near the Anvik Park, is a potential future docking site however, it is located

near Hawk Bluff where the Peregrine Falcon nests seasonally. If this potential docking area is

developed, the community may need to consider the impact of potential increased barge

traffic on the presence of the falcon nesting area. A potential boat landing area may be

developed in coordination with a future docking site, either at the Anvik Park area or another

long term accessible site.

Depending on the site of a new barge docking area, a staging area for off-loading and storage

of barged freight will need to be designated. Currently freight barged to Anvik, is delivered and

stored just up the banks from the boat landing, to the right of the old Anvik Mission Building

when facing east, in front of the Anvik Tribal Office. This area, along with the area around the

boat landing gets cluttered with barge delivered items, which may or may not get removed by

the owner of the freight. Freight is also stored around the former community garden area. In

25

Sources of information: Tami Jerue, Rudy Chase and Malinda Chase.


the future, Anvik may consider formally establishing an open or secure staging area for barged

freight.

Names of scheduled waterborne freight carriers serving village:

Yutana Barge Lines supplies fuel and bulk goods to Anvik. Inland Barge Company also provides

barge services to Anvik, often transporting bulk goods and propane fuel.

Boat Storage

The area next to the community garden, to the left when facing north, is informally used as a

boat storage area, although occasionally some boats are left near the boat landing area during

the winter. Boats often left in this area are down by agencies. Residents primarily store their

individual boats near their home or have made agreements to store their boat on the property

of another Anvik resident, which addresses concerns about vandalism and care during the

winter months. In the future, Anvik may consider formally designating a boat storage area for

aesthetic and accessibility purposes. With the boat landing free from boats haphazardly left

there, the area would be uncluttered and boat launching would be easier and more accessible


Local Roads

Anvik has about 5.3 miles of total roads, inclusive of the roads going out of town to the gravel

pit, park and landfill. The Charlie Wulf Road is in fair condition, although unimproved like the

other existing roads, which are in poor condition. The travel width of the local roads is between

10 to 20 feet wide, which is too narrow. The roads are maintained minimally, as needed, by the

City of Anvik. The roads have rutting, flooding and subsidence problems especially during the

spring thaw. The State has to realigned the road from the village to the airport as part of the

airport improvement project yet there are still the above issues on most of the roads in the

community.

Responsibility for maintenance/snow removal: The City of Anvik provides snow removal and all

maintenance as needed. As a second-class city, Anvik has the ability to tax residents for services,

including road maintenance. BIA Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) Program generates a small

amount of maintenance funding annually are added in the IRR Inventory System.

Overall condition of local roads: Unsafe and poor. All roads are unimproved, except for the

upgraded section of Main Street, and were constructed without the benefit of design in their

horizontal and vertical access. All roads are between 10 to 20 feet wide, which is too narrow

for two-way automotive vehicle traffic. The drainage system is poor. It is accomplished by

using culverts and open channel ditches which often result in rutting, flooding and subsidence

problems especially during the spring thaw. In the summer, with frequent traffic, there is

significant dust, which poses health problems, especially for elders and young children. Local

Community Health Aides report they see patients throughout the summer for dust related

respiratory health problems. Every route is unimproved and in poor condition, except for a

section of Main Street where a culvert replaced the Anvik bridge. The culvert is located in front

of the boat landing which was constructed and upgraded in 2001 by ADOT & PF. The other road

that is the exception is the new airport access road which is located half way from the city building to the

dump.


Gravel Source

The Doyon Material Resource Site, located at the end of the Gravel Pit Road, can be used for

large rock fill and embankment material. However, it is not an adequate gravel source for

quality road surface material, without using a rock crushing plant or materials screen. It is

owned by Doyon Limited, the regional ANCSA Native Corporation owns the gravel pit.

There are two additional gravel sources that have been identified; however, due to the

presence of natural and cultural resources, these sources are likely to be determined to be

unavailable for use. The Anvik Tribe through its Federal Highway project would like to construct

a winter haul road to access river gravel where identified it will not interfere with salmon

habitat.

Hawk Bluff is a potential gravel source, but it is a nesting area for the American

peregrine falcon and there are an undetermined number of cultural resources and

archaeological sites along the top of Hawk Bluff.

The Anvik River is a potential gravel source, but it is a significant river for salmon

species. With a drop in the salmon spawning since the mid to late 1990s, use of the

Anvik River as a potential material site may negatively impact the fishery. The Alaska

Department of Fish & Game has requested that the Anvik River not be used as a gravel

material site for the 2005-06


Land Use

Current Land Ownership

The ownership of land and the conditions under which land is held are important

considerations in community planning because they affect future land availability.

Anvik’s city boundaries take in an area of 9.5 square miles and 2.4 square miles of water.

Deloy Ges and the City of Anvik, with the Anvik Tribal Council, will be addressing 14(c) Alaska

Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) land conveyance for community expansion, appropriate

rights-of-way and other foreseeable community needs.

The state-owned Anvik Airport lands are within the city boundaries and are located

on top of Hawk Bluff ridge about one mile from the community center. The planned

expansion of the Anvik airport required the state to acquire additional land south of

town and adjacent to the current airport. This land was purchased from Deloy Ges, Inc.

The 10.5 acre Blackwell School site is within the community’s boundaries.

The Episcopal Diocese of Alaska owns the lot on which the Anvik Tribal Office Building,

the Chase-Chapman Mission Building and Christ Church are located.

The lagoon site, washeteria, clinic and a handful of lots along the Charlie Wulf Road

are owned by the City of Anvik. There are a few Native allotments along the Anvik

River Slough, just to the west of the community.

The two HUD Mutual Help housing subdivisions, Hawk Bluff and River View, are

owned by Deloy Ges, Inc., and leased to Interior Regional Housing Authority on behalf

of purchasing homeowners. All other surrounding land in the community is owned by

Deloy Ges, Inc., formerly Ingalik, Inc., and the local ANCSA village corporation.


Existing Public Development

With the construction of Blackwell School, the U.S. Post Office, the City of Anvik building and

washeteria in 1979 and 1980s the core of the community center shifted. These buildings are

located south of the Anvik River, however, are considered “up the road” when orientating

yourself from the Anvik boat landing. The Anvik City building, the Anvik Clinic and the

washeteria are located close to each other in the middle of town, on the west side of the main

road through town. Across from this general area, sit the Deloy Ges Corporation building and

U.S. Post Office. Other than Blackwell School, which is located adjacent to the airport, these

buildings represent the existing public development in Anvik.

Existing Residential Development

All residential development within the community is single-family structures. There are two

different HUD Home subdivisions—Hawk Bluff and Riverview. These two subdivisions sit on the

same ridge but are separated by a gully. The main road in the community lies between these

two housing subdivisions and has a number of houses located on it. Residential lots in these

two subdivisions are larger than those along the main road, and the homes are all single

storied and of modern design.

The older development, as mentioned, is near the Anvik River bank and by the current Anvik

Tribal Building. The homes n e a r the community center and further up, were primarily built

in the 1970s and 1980s. Further up the road the homes were built more recently. Along the

main road and community center, the Anvik Tribal Council recently constructed three (3) new

homes through the tribal NAHSDA program.

Building the landfill with an accompanying access road, plus the construction of the two HUD

Mutual Help subdivisions, significantly changed the community settlement pattern. Privately

built residential homes developed along the Charlie Wulf Road following its construction. Just

north of the Charlie Wulf Road marks the high flood zone. The sewage lagoon and Anvik Fuel

Storage Company tank farm, which are beamed, are located in this large lowland area.


Existing Commercial and Industrial Development

Anvik has no defined commercial or industrial areas. Given Anvik’s small population, this has

not proven to be a problem. Small businesses, such as the two general stores and the Deloy

Ges Corporation, which sells space and has a convenience store, are located on the main road.

Privately owned businesses are in or located close to the owner’s residence, primarily for

security and convenience. The Deloy Ges fish cannery, a new building but not currently in

operation, sits near the Yukon River at the end of the Park Road.

Most industrial uses in Anvik are utilities related. They are located at various points in the

community and are not clustered in any fashion. The two recently constructed bulk fuel tank

farms are located at opposite ends of the community. The main tank farm is located just south

of the Anvik River, while the AVEC tank farm is a mile further south, up the main road across

from Blackwell School. The sewage and wastewater lagoon is located slightly west of the

community center, along the Charlie Wulf Road. The city landfill is at the end of the Charlie

Wulf Road, approximately one mile from the community center.


Extended Land Use Pattern

Although not formally documented, Anvik’s extended land use pattern or traditional land use

territory is encompasses the Yukon River north to “12 mile”, east half way to Shageluk, south

on the Yukon River to “Paradise” inclusive of the Bonasila River to the headwaters of Hawk

River, west as far as the Andreafsky River and to the southwest past Bonasila Dome including

the Stuyhawk area (K.Chase).

The Anvik River is a significant traditional u s e area and represents a source of pride and

sense of place in local identity and values. Traditional use even extended past some of these

points, especially use of the area north of Anvik on the Yukon River prior to the establishment

of Grayling. Local residents frequented Eagle Slide, Bear Creek and other areas north

(R.Demoski). A number of Native allotments are also in this area.

In the past 20 years the existing land use in Anvik has changed with local development

initiatives. The designated high-flood zone affects decisions about where to build new buildings.

The northern end of town or the “downtown area”, located near the Anvik River bank was

previously the community center. Two former stores and the former school site were in this

area. Prior to the closure of these two stores, the Anvik Commercial Company and Chase

Enterprises, and the building of the present school w h i c h is relocated a mile up the hill

adjacent to the airport, this area of town was the core area. It is representative of the former

settlement pattern when homes and business were closer together and not far from the Anvik

River water source, and the Episcopal Christ Church and Mission, which heavily influenced land

use and community expansion in Anvik.

This is the older area of town. The church was constructed in 1894, the Chase-Chapman

Mission Building built in 1924 and the former Church Rectory, which now serves as the Anvik

Tribal Office, was built in 1958-59. Most houses in this area were built prior to the 1980s. This

older development is in the 100-year flood plain zone.


More recent development has taken place further south, or “up the road” and along two

different areas on the ridge extending from Deloy Ges Hill, or Hawk Bluff. Physically the

community expanded in a fork-like fashion. Where once the community was settled on the

riverbank, after moving across from “the Point” following the establishment of the mission, it

has gradually moved out of the flood plain, into a linear pattern alongside and up on the ridge of

Deloy Ges or Hawk Bluff. Currently the core part of the community is located in the central

area of the town, approximately 1/2 mile south from the Anvik boat landing and includes the

city clinic, washeteria, city building, Deloy Ges Corporation and U.S. Post Office.


Physical Setting and Future Land Use

The physical setting of Anvik is a significant factor in planning for the community’s future

development. Over time, Anvik’s settlement and community growth and expansion pattern

has evolved and changed dramatically. People originally settled in Anvik alongside the riverbank,

where it was convenient to access drinking water and subsistence resources. Anvik’s

development has gradually moved uphill, out of the 100-year flood zone. Because of steep

slopes and uneven topography, the development pattern is now much more dispersed. In the

future, small population growth is anticipated for Anvik, but this does not mean that future

land use needs will remain static. The airport expansion and associated access road projects

will h a v e a significant impact on local travel patterns, which, in turn, will impact land use.

The primary focus of this land use section is to identify potential land use areas and make land

use decisions more efficiently.

Considerations for future land use in Anvik include:

- New construction in Development located near the riverbank in the 100-year flood zone

this area needs to be built on areas of high ground, a high foundation or on pilings so

that it is above the 100-year flood mark.

Residential areas are spread out along four frequently used Water and sewer service-

roads and individual houses are sporadically situated on sites along the ridge. Future

water and sewer service to these areas may need to be in the form of individual wells

and septic systems to keep the costs of maintaining and operation the community

systems manageable for community residents. The extent to which the existing piped

system can and should be extended to serve such areas should be determined by the

community water and sewer plan.

Anvik will need a new solid waste landfill between 2013–2015. New Solid Waste Landfill

Many factors need to be considered when selecting land for a new solid waste site:

terrain, soil types, location of surface waters and wetlands and airport separation

distances. Anvik is located on an isolated rock formation and ancient sand dune

protruding from the lower Yukon River valley. The landmass is approximately 2 miles


long and 1 mile wide and rises approximately 250 feet above the high water mark of

the Yukon River. Potential sites that are on acceptable terrain and meet the required

airport separation distance are on lands owned by Deloy Ges, Inc. The sites that meet

the 5,000 foot minimum separation distance recommended by the Federal Aviation

Administration and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for

airports serving piston engine propeller aircraft are located at the extreme

southwestern end of the hill. The soils in this area are hard packed silt overlain with

mixed deciduous and coniferous forest. When locating the new solid waste landfill site,

consideration must be given to the various access routes to the site. Once final site

selections are made and access routes identified then surveying and plotting of the site

will be necessary. Negotiations with Deloy Ges Inc. for a long term lease, interim

conveyance, quitclaim deed or conveyance under ANCSA 14(c) 3 will need to take place.


Community Well Being

Christ Church26

Christ Church Anvik is the

oldest and first built Episcopal

Church in Alaska. It is owned

and operated by the Episcopal

Diocese of Alaska. It was

constructed out of log and

shingles in 1894 and originally

faced north. It was re-

constructed in 1920s and faces

west. The Church is registered

as a National Historic Site on

the National Registry. The Church is located near the boat landing, next to the Mission (Chase-

Chapman) Building.

The Church has no full-time employees; however, there is a voluntary Church committee that

manages the use and functions in the Church building. The committee is made up of four (or six)

local community members that coordinates care of the building with the Episcopal Diocese of

Alaska.

Condition of building: The building is in fair condition.

Problems with building: Its 127 years old, with some structural issues.

Estimated remaining useful life (years): If the building continues to be maintained, it will

be have another 15 to 20 or more years of useful life.

Proposed/planned improvements: It is being assessed for major renovations.

26

Sources of information and date: Tami Jerue January 18th, 2016


Mission/Chase-Chapman Building27

Anvik Mission Building, also

named the Chase-Chapman

Building, has had a number

of uses since it was built in

1924. The building is two-

story 40 feet by 80 feet in

size, with a total of 6400

square feet. It has a fully

dug-out basement with a

dirt floor. It is constructed of

three-sided logs on the ground floor with a wood frame on the second floor. It has a

poured concrete foundation and is owned by the Chase family estate. The building is

located near the boat landing, in between Christ Church and the Anvik Tribal Offices (old

church rectory building).Its uses have included being a schoolhouse, orphanage,

apartment rental, recreational center, café, old movie theater, maintenance shop and

lodge. It has also been used for functions, which include weddings, Deg Xinag language

workshops, rummage sales, dances and community meetings. A certain section of the

building was also a former basketball court. The building is not currently used on a regular

basis since it needs major repairs to the foundation.

Condition of building: The building is in fair condition with much repairs needed

Problems with building: The roof needs to be repaired. Upgrade the electrical and

heating systems. Also hook up the sewer to the building.

Estimated remaining useful life (years): Another 70 years with repairs as needed.

Proposed/planned improvements: Finish back and front porches. Plan to level the

flooring. Replace the windows and sides of the wall. Also plan on painting the insides on

the building.

27

Sources of information and date: Rudy Chase. February 10, 2016


Education

Kindergarten-12th Grade

The Iditarod Area School District (IASD) provides Anvik’s kindergarten to 12th grade public

education at Blackwell School in Anvik. The IASD offices are located in McGrath, which is on the

Kuskokwim River and accessible by air from Anvik. The State of Alaska established the district as

a Rural Education Attendance Area in 1976. The Alaska Department of Education and Early

Development funds the district. The district uses an alternative student evaluation system and

curriculum based on passing levels rather than grades.

The Anvik CDP identifies quality K-12 education as a critical issue for the community and sub-

region to address. Specific areas of concern are: teacher turnover, quality education, retention

of students, bulling, new teacher orientation, and students pursuing post-secondary school or

training beyond high school.

Addressing some of the concern with teacher turnover, IASD hired a resident and certified

Alaska state teacher from Anvik in 2003. This individual is originally from Anvik and formerly

worked as school secretary and teacher aide while pursuing her education degree so she brings

her cumulative years of experience with the community and the school distract to her position.

Regional and Statewide 9-12 Grade Education

In the fall of 2015, there is a total of four (4) high schoolers attending Blackwell School with a

total of 17 students from K-12th grade. In February 2016, one of the high school students have

graduated early and will have his ceremony in May with the other Blackwell graduates. Also

there are 2 other Anvik high students attending Nenana Student Living Center and 1 other high

schooler attending Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA). October 2015, the community was

concerned that we would not make the 10 student count required to keep our school open, this

was the first time this has happened since the State School was opened in 1976. With the onset


of high school boarding schools and education budget cuts, the impact on the local community

has been significant.

UAF Distance Education

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers post-secondary education opportunities through

Interior-Aleutians Campus (IAC) McGrath Center. IAC is one of six community campuses within

UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development (CRCD). A variety of distance-education

degree and coursework is available for local residents to enroll in through various methods

including: audio conferencing, web-based, face-to-face seminars, and traditional

correspondence. A small number of courses are also offered locally. Degrees offered through

CRCD include in part: Information, Technology Support; Early Childhood: Para-education; Rural

Development; Elementary Education; and Tribal Administration. Courses and programs offered

through CRCD are an avenue to pursue higher education while continuing to live in rural Alaska.


Goals and Priorities


Top 12 Community Projects for 2016-2021

Goals, Objectives, Strategies & Recommendations

The following series of goals, objectives and strategies were developed through a series of

community planning meetings and teleconferences with the Anvik Planning Team.

Recommendations are suggestions made by the regional planning team, USDA Rural

Development and various TCC Departments. The community plans to continue working on

these issues to help implement some of the Plan’s major recommendations.

Construction

• Complete 14 (c) Land Conveyances

• Determine new landfill location and construct site

• Clinic Expansion

• Renovate and maintain historic buildings/sites

• Rehabilitate older residential homes and complete conveyance of land

• Complete winter haul road project

• Rebuild/Upgrade Washeteria

• Complete outdoor basketball court

• Maintain/improve support for children & youth for renovation/construction of a new teen center and increase parental and community volunteer involvement in child, youth and family activities.

Services

• Maintain community training of Code Red Fire Response

• Enter into a four village Memorandum of Understanding between Anvik, Grayling, Shageluk and Holy Cross to work together to further economic, governance and community development in the sub region.

• Update Anvik Village Resume & Community Web site


Goal 1. Improve K–12 Education System

Objective 1.1 Strengthen education and expand the opportunity for local education in Anvik,

in coordination with the surrounding communities

Strategies

1. Form a Community Education Committee (CEC) to hold a local education summit and/or

provide guidance to the school district in their efforts to hold a sub-regional education

summit.

2. CEC coordinates and/or provide guidance for local sub regional education summit with

Grayling, Shageluk and Holy Cross. CEC references the Anvik Comprehensive Community

Plan to provide agenda items for issues to address at education summit.

Areas to address:

• Learn about alternative or charter school options

• Learn about state education budgeting process

• Explore funding sources

• Learn about the powers of the local school board & the traits of a strong local &

regional school board

• Teacher turnover

• Parental and community involvement in school

• Student attitudes

• Explore moving IASD administrative offices or positions to Yukon service area

• Explore the idea of a sub-regional high school


Recommendations:

1. Form local community education committee (2 or more people) to provide guidance,

ideas and help monitor the educational experience in Anvik’s school. This committee

would consist of community members willing and able to commit the time and effort to

work voluntarily on improving local education. In the event this committee does not

evolve, the local advisory school board will review and address the goals outlined in the

Anvik Comprehensive Community Plan.

2. Local education committee to contact Doyon Foundation and First People’s Foundation

for guidance and assistance with holding a sub-regional education summit. Request

assistance with facilitating the educational summit.

3. Local Advisory School Board holds audio-conferences with other communities & Alaska

Rural Systemic Initiative to discuss ideas and find materials for influencing student

programming and community and parental involvement.

4. Providing a community orientation or a volunteer family assigned to new school

teaching staff. Request information from Association of Interior Native Educators and

the Alaska Native Knowledge Network.

5. Request the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Education and/or the

Local Boundary Commission to inform the community, at an education summit or

through dialogue with the community, of any initiatives for consolidation or changes in

the school district’s structure.


Objective 1.2 Develop system to influence IASD hiring of teachers and delivery of student

programs

Strategies

1. Local Advisory School Board-explore ways and develop system to influence IASD hiring

of teachers and delivery of student programs.

Recommendations:

Local Advisory School Board holds audio-conferences with other local school boards, the

Interior Native Educators Association, IASD Administration & Board, the Alaska Native Policy

Center and other entities on how to influence school staff hiring.

Objective 1.3 Improve special education services

Strategies

1. Local Advisory School Board-explore ways to improve special education services.

Recommendations:

1. Request Association of Interior Native Educators and the Doyon Foundation introduce the

“Learning Styles” classroom. Sponsor the Blackwell teaching and administrative staff in

attending the learning styles workshops or events. Contact: http://www.

doyonfoundation.com/aiap.html

2. Request Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs Conference Health

Education and/or Iditarod Area School District provide information to the community

and school on working with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects individuals.

http://www/


Goal 2. Improve Healthy Alternatives for Youth

Objective 2.1 Increase health prevention education in school

Strategies

1. TFYS, LASB & Principal—Coordinate more prevention classes/ activities which include

the school, the VPSO, parents, mental health provider, YKHC & local health aides.

2. Anvik Tribal Council, LASB, Principal & Parent Volunteers- Create/develop/deliver a life

skills program in school. Areas to address:

Drivers’ education

Parenting

Sex education

3. Anvik Tribal Council & Community Volunteers-Develop a local youth court using the

Justice Circle Decision-Making Consensus Process.

Objective 2.2 Pursue a new teen center

Strategies:

1. Anvik Tribal Council, Deloy Ges & City Council-Discuss need, support and potential land

available for new teen c e n t e r .

2. TFYS/Anvik Tribal Council Staff-Look for funding to build and/or renovate a teen center.

3. Conduct research for new teen center.

4. TFYS/Anvik Tribal Council Staff-Talk with other villages about how or where they received

their teen center funding

Recommendations:

1. Tribe to request TCC’s Planning & Development Department to conduct a funding

search for grants available for renovating or building a teen center, including

information on the federal Youth Build and HUD grants.

2. Tribal Administrator, Blackwell & Galena School Staff, and Anvik & Galena Project

Education Residential School students-Request that these youth research different types


of teen centers & develop ideas for teen center plan. Present these plans, in a Power

point Presentation or school report, to the Community or Anvik Tribal Council.

3. Tribal Administrator with TCC’s Youth Employment Services and UAF Cooperative

Extension Agent conduct a “Using Resources” workshop and explore the Youth Build

grant program to find avenues for youth to build and/or renovate a teen center.

Objective 2.3 Increase activities for children, youth and families

Strategies:

1. TFYS, Youth Coordinator & any other community volunteers-Hold regular contemporary

and square dances (twice a year or quarterly, in association with another community

event).

2. Adult community volunteers/ tribal members (at least two people-male & female)-Hold

regular Athabascan dances/dance practice (annually in January & Feb).

3. City Council, Tribal Council & Deloy Ges Board of Directors-Develop youth leadership.

Consider appointing a youth to respective boards.

4. Community volunteers-Build a new basketball court in community center or high use

area (see recommendations).

5. Community volunteers-Build a new playground in community center or high use area

(see recommendations).

6. Community volunteers-Build a skating rink in community center or high use area (see

recommendations).

7. Develop a summer swimming program.

8. Promote community and family recreation.

Recommendations:

1. Teen Center Coordinator, Youth, Leadership, Community-Work through the Creating

Healthy Communities Chapter 6 “Using Resources” to construct a new playground,

basketball court and skating rink.

2. TFYS & Rural Campfire Director-Explore the possibility of obtaining a summer

swimming pool to be available for age group use, when the Yukon River sandbar


across from Anvik is unavailable. Contact the City of Galena about the details of

their former summer swimming pool program.

3. TFYS or any community volunteer-Families, youth, women or men groups plan trips,

events or activities together.


GOAL 3. Develop the Local Economy

Objective 3.1 Develop a local business association, then work toward a sub-regional

Economic Development Council

Strategies:

1. Local businesses meet together on a regular basis to discuss barriers to development

and/or collaborate on broader community and sub regional interest-form Breakfast or

Brunch Club (quarterly or twice a year gatherings).

Recommendations:

1. Coordinate and/or enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Holy Cross,

Shageluk and Grayling to form an Economic Development Council and collectively work

on common subsistence and governance issues.

Objective 3.2 Encourage and support local business development

Strategies:

1. City of Anvik-Produce brochures advertising Anvik, to be posted outside of the

community

Recommendations:

1. Anvik Tribal Council, City of Anvik, Deloy Ges, Inc. & RC & D Council-Co-sponsor and

attend a local “Economic Opportunities” workshop, outlined in the Creating Healthy

Communities (Chapter6) booklet and led by Cooperative Extension Agent or offered by

some other agency.

2. Support and promote import substitution by launching an economic education

campaign to “Produce locally-Buy/Trade Anvik or sub regionally” Initiative. See Local

Decisions About Local Economies Report (p. 7 & 8), Web site: http://www.dced.state.

ak.us/dca/pub/

3. Volunteer community member, Anvik Tribal Staff or non-resident Tribal member or

Deloy Ges Shareholder-Develop and maintain a community Web site to profile the

community and highlight the Anvik’s uniqueness, history and local business.

http://www.dced.state/


4. Deloy Ges, Inc., shareholders, local entities and community members-Support,

encourage and explore the original use or alternative use for Deloy Ges Cannery.

5. Local entities-Support the Mission (Chase-Chapman) Building restoration and use, by

encouraging small business development.

Objective 3.3 Complete an Anvik Village Resume or workforce/equipment assessment

(including a list of non-resident Anvik Tribal Members and Deloy Ges Shareholders) to share

with any future incoming project contractors

Recommendations:

1. Request/invite contractors & funders to a post-award conference to share Village

Resume information and highlight workforce and community resources prior to any

project hiring and start-up.

2. TWDS, Tribal Administrator and volunteer Deloy Ges Board Member(s)-research and

complete an “Anvik Village Resume” or Human Resource/Skills assessment for local

residents and non- resident tribal members and Deloy Ges shareholders.

Objective 3.4 Learn more about and get update from RC&D Council

Recommendations:

1. City of Anvik-Request the RC&D Council to educate the community on its functions,

services and/or technical assistance.

Objective 3.5 Establish winter youth employment opportunities

Recommendations:

Anvik Tribal Council, City of Anvik, Deloy Ges, Blackwell School, TCC YES & State of Alaska DECD-

Coordinate efforts to provide winter youth employment opportunities.


GOAL 4. To Promote Community Wellness, Healthy Lifestyles

Objective 4.1 Upgrade and maintain equipment of Code Red Fire Response

Strategies: Need to be able refill fire extinguishers and larger code red tank in a cost effective

manner.

Recommendations: Partnership with the City and the State of Alaska in training and

equipment.

Objective 4.2 Increase community volunteers for all activities.

Recommendations: Volunteerism-explore how it relates to cultural value of contributing to the

community/sharing-target sectors of the population/individuals who can contribute to specific

events/ activities.

Objective 4.3 Enter into a four village Memorandum of Understanding between Anvik,

Grayling, Shageluk and Holy Cross to work together to further economic, governance and

community development in the sub region.

Strategies: quarterly sub-regional Tribal meetings of the four villages, Anvik Grayling, Shageluk

and Holy Cross to discuss strategies and needs of the four villages


GOAL 5. Develop and Coordinate Anvik Land Planning

Objective 5.1 Complete future land planning and 14 (c) land conveyances

Strategies: Deloy Ges, City of Anvik & Anvik Tribal Council—designate community land

committee to work on future land needs and completion of 14 (c) land conveyance. Areas

to be addressed:

• Roads need to be to aligned with community improvements

• Complete water & sewer planning

• Recreation areas, basketball court, skating rink & benches

• Future docking site

• Designated barge staging area

• Boat storage

• Smokehouse area

Objective 5.2 Identify a cooperative community land planning team with representatives

from Deloy Ges, Inc., the City of Anvik and Anvik Tribal Council with guidance from Doyon

Ltd.

Strategies Deloy Ges-Request guidance of Doyon Limited on 14 (c) process.

Objective 5.3Determine new landfill location and construct site

Strategies: The tribe, the city and the Deloy Ges, Inc. meet to discuss new site options.


Goal 6. Build Local Capacity and Skills of Community Members

Objective 6.1 Encourage adult education and training (target skill/subject area needed,

number of individuals to get training/education and timeline

Recommendations

Encourage or support a local resident in obtaining an Early Childhood Child

Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or A.A.S Degree, small business skills and

daycare licensure to provide childcare services in Anvik.

Encourage or support the support staff in ATC, Deloy Ges and City of Anvik to pursue

professional development by increasing their computer literacy skills in e-mail use,

database management, word processing and Internet research and use. Staff may want

to enroll in UAF or another distance education program. Contact:

http://www.uaf.edu/iac/

Encourage or support local leadership development, considering training available

statewide, nationally and internationally.

Leadership education information:

The Foraker Group: [email protected]

The Native Nations Institute at University of Arizona’s Udall Center for Studies in Public

Policy: http://www.nni.arizona.edu/ leadership.htm

The Banff Centre Aboriginal Leadership Development:

http://www.banffcenter.com/departments/leadership/aboriginal.asp

Objective 6.2 Promote and develop “off road” driver licensing system possibly through the

tribe

Strategies Anvik Tribal Council-research and implement “off-roads drivers’ licensure” program.

Objective 6.3 Provide on-going business development training-starting, funding & managing a

small business

Strategies Anvik Tribal Council and future business group entity-Seek on-going business

development training for community members and business owner.

http://www.uaf.edu/iac/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.nni.arizona.edu/

http://www.banffcenter.com/departments/leadership/aboriginal.asp


Goal 7. Promote Cultural Renewal and Maintenance

Objective 7.1 Document cultural properties, sites, graves, land, etc.

Recommendations

Establish a cultural review/research group of tribal members/ shareholders or in partnership

with other sub regional communities.

Review cultural documentation to date and develop comprehensive cultural renewal plan with

community/tribal involvement, input and review.

Objective 7.2 Strengthen Anvik’s bilingual/Native language program

Recommendations

Anvik Tribal Council, City of Anvik and Deloy Ges-Set community language use goals, starting with

a “do-able” approach such as using greetings, invocations/opening prayer (translated Lord’s

Prayer), and common phrases. Explain this effort during community feasts and gatherings.

Encourage community members to begin with phrases they are comfortable saying.

Develop cultural mentorship program, possibly in partnership with other subregional

communities


Goal 8. Improve Transportation Infrastructure

Objective 8.1 Plan and construct a barge docking area

Recommendations

1. Conduct feasibility study on the construction of a new barge and boat docking area and

access road to site.

2. Establish a transportation committee with representatives from Anvik Tribal Council, the

City of Anvik & Deloy Ges.


References

Alaska Community Database-Detailed Community Information.

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/cbd/commdb/CF_BLOCK.cfm

Alaska Consultants, I., Angoon Comprehensive Development Plan. 1976, City of Angoon:

Anchorage. p. 183.

Anvik High Water Elevation Identification. 1990 & 1992, Alaska District Corps of Engineers

Flood Plain Management Services. p. 6.

Carl Jerue, Anvik Tribal Chief.

CH2MHILL and I. Northern Economics, Resource Transportation Analysis Phase II-Yukon River

Port And Road Network. 2004, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public

Facilities.

Chase, Ken. Personal Communication with M. Chase, 2003.

Christine Elswick, City Clerk and Deloy Ges, Inc. manager.

Christy Ticknor, Clinic Health Aid.

Cornell, S. and J.P. Kalt, Alaska Native Self-Government and Service Delivery: What Works?

2003, The University of Arizona Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy Native Nations

Institute or Leadership, Management And Policy. p. 33.

Deacon, B., M. Chase, Editor. 1993: Anvik, Alaska.

Demoski, Rudy. Personal Communication with M. Chase, 2005. Dickerson, L., Creating Healthy

Communities-The Process of Community Discovery. 2002, Fairbanks, AK: University

of Alaska Fairbanks College of Rural Alaska-Cooperative Extension Service. 146.

Kuskokwim Architects and Engineers, I., Anvik, Alaska BIA Long Range Transportation Planning.

2001, Anvik Tribal Council. p. 23.

Moore, UDPSD., Galena Comprehensive Plan 1998 Update. 1999, University of Washington. p.

142.

PDC, I.C.E., Anvik Airport Rehabilitation Project No. 66724. 2003, State of Alaska Department of

Transportation and Public Facilities: Fairbanks, AK.

Renee Richardson, Richardson’s Store Manager.

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/cbd/commdb/CF_BLOCK.cfm


Robert Walker, DOT Airport contractor.

Ruby, Alaska-Where The Past Create For The Future Economic Opportunities. 2004, Ruby

Wellness Committee: Ruby. p. 30.

Rudy Chase, Owner of Mission/Chase-Chapman Building.

Selkregg, S.A., Community Strategic Plan Guide and Form. 2001, Palmer, AK: U.S. Department of

Agriculture-Rural Development Denali Commission Alaska Humanities Forum. 40 plus forms &

appendix.

Surveys returned from Anvik Community Members.

Tami Jerue July 18, 2002. Personal Interview. Anvik Cemeteries.

Tami Jerue, Tribal Administrator.

Tanana Chiefs Conference Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2002–2007. 2002

Tanana Chiefs Conference Economic Development Program: Fairbanks, Alaska. p. 62.

U.S. Department of Health, E.A.W., Final Report Sanitation Facilities Construction for Grayling, Alaska.

1981, Public Health Service; Alaska Area Native Health Service; Environmental Health Branch:

Anchorage.

VanStone, J.W., Ingalik Contact Ecology: An Ethnohistory Of The Lower-Middle Yukon, 1790-1935.

FIELDIANA Anthropology. Vol. 71. 1979, Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History. 273.

VanStone, J.W., Russian Exploration in Interior Alaska, in Pacific Northwest Quarterly, Charles M.

Gates, Managing Editor. 1959, University of Washington.

Western Alaska Economic Diversification Strategy Local Decisions About Local Economies.

2002, Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development Division of

Community and Business Development.

Wheeler, P.C., the Role of Cash in Northern Economies: A Case Study of Four Alaskan Athabascan

Villages, in Anthropology. 1997, the University of Alberta. p. 327


Appendices

Anvik Employment and Sources of Funding, July 2006

Employer Position # of

Employe

es

Full/Par

t Time

Year round

of seasonal

Source

Tribal

Office

Administrator 1 Full Year Govt funding (638

compact)

Tribal

Office

Tribal Clerk 1 Full Year Govt funding (638

compact)

Tribal

Office

TFYS 1 Full Year Govt funding (ICWA)

Tribal

Office

TWDS 1 Part Year Govt funding (TANF/CCDF)

Tribal

Office

VPSO 0 Full Year Govt funding (AK DPS)

Tribal

Office

TPO (Tribal

Police Officer)

0 Full Year Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Elder Pro.

Cook

0 Part Year Govt funding (Elder

Nutrition)

Tribal

Office

Environmental 3 Full Year Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Environmental

Interns

2 Part Seasonal Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Prevention

Coordinator



Tribal

Office

Court Clerk 1 Part Seasonal Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Gaming

Manager

1 Part Year Local funding

Tribal

Office

Activities

Coordinator

1 Part Year Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Domestic

Violence

Advocate


Tribal

Office

Summer

Youth/Peer

Mentors

10 Part Seasonal Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Janitor 1 Part Year Govt funding

Tribal

Office

Carpenters/Co

nst

Varies As

needed

Seasonal Govt funding (NAHSDA)

IASD-

School

Principal 1 Full Academic.

Year

Public funding (AK DOE)

IASD-

School

Teacher 3 Full Academic.

Year


IASD-

School

Teacher Aide 1 Part Academic.

Year


IASD-

SChool

Secretary 0 Part Academic.

Year


IASD-

School

Cook 1 Part Academic.

Year


IASD-

School

Maintenance 1 Part Academic.

Year



IASD-

School

Janitor 1 Part Academic.

Year


USPS Postal Clerk 1 Full Year Fed Govt funding

City of

Anvik

Clerk 1 Part Year City Govt funding

City of

Anvik

Operator/Main

.

2 Part Year City Govt funding

Deloy Ges

Corp

Clerk 1 Part Year Private Support

Deloy Ges

Corp

Gas Attendant 2 Part Year Private Support

Ryan Air Airline Agent 1 Part Year Private Support

Hageland/

Ravn Air

Airline Agent 1 Part Year Private Support

Richardso

n's

Store Clerk 2 Full Year Private Support

Kruger's

Guide

Guide-Owner 1 Part Seasonal Private Support

AVEC, Inc. Operator 1 Part Year Utility Cooperative

YKHC Health Aides 1 Full Year Fed Govt funding (IHS)

Doyon

Subsidiari

es

Roustabout or

other staff

0 Full Year Private Business


Anvik Local Businesses

Business Owner(s) & Address

Alaska's Anvik River Lodge, LLC

AK Hunt & Fish.com

Anvik River Lodge Auror Ventures, Inc.

PO Box 109 Anvik, AK 99558

Bob & Cassie's Outfit Robert Walker


Chase AK Outdoor Adventure Ken Chase and Leonard Chase


C2H, Inc.

Deloy Ges, Inc. Deloy Ges, Inc.

PO Box 150 Anvik, Ak 99558

Maillelle's Paula Maillelle


Richardson's Gary & Renee Richardson



Summary of Community Infrastructure

typ

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Housing Construct needed 3-5 housing units X Community Buildings

Upgrade electrical system, in tribal office building X Paint interior, install basement flooring in tribal office building

X

Seek funding for new Deloy Ges Inc., Office Building X Determine use, occupants, O & M for new community Kashim/Museum (Multi-purpose building)

X

Paint interior/upgrade heating system for city building X Determine full/long-term use of city building X Determine place and/or funding for teen center X

Library Determine place, funding and O & M to relocate or construct a new community library

X

Police Renovation & establishment of a holding cell X Fire Regular training on use of Code Red Fire Suppression Kit X Fire Annual inspection program of home fire extinguisher & alarms X Health clinic Expand the clinic from 1050 to 2000 square feet by 2006 or

build a new clinic (YKHC) X

Education Repair roof over corner of library X Education Plumbing in bathrooms X Recreation Conduct feasibility study to convert local building to teen

center X

Recreation

Construct new playground in accessible/frequently used area

X

Recreation Build skating rink X


typ

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of

Pro

jec

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Su

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ary

of

Pro

ject

n

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Imp

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Cemeteries & graves

Identify future area for cemetery expansion to be included in future land use plan

X

Water service Complete feasibility study for centralized piped water system

X

If feasible, apply for funding for centralized piped water system

X

Purchase & install 3 new washers for washeteria X Purchase & install all new dryers X

Sewage collection & disposal

Complete feasibility study for community piped sewage system

X

If feasible, apply for funding for extension of system X Implement a regular billing to operate

& maintain extended sewer system X

Implement a regular sewage collection/disposal system

X

Solid waste disposal

Identify a future landfill site 10,000’ away from airport Close existing site in 7-9 years

X

Electric power No project identified X Fuel storage Determine use/disposal of old fuel tanks no

longer in use X

Telephone No project identified X Cable TV No project identified X Airport Lengthen runway X

Realign airport access road X Barge/boat landing

Identify possible sites for future barge/boat landing

X

Pursue planning/feasibility study of possible sites X Roads Realign airport road X

Construct road for new subdivision X


Anvik Village Resume

In an effort to promote local assets and be prepared for upcoming and future projects in Anvik,

the Anvik Tribal Council, Deloy Ges, Inc., and the City of Anvik, may complete and produce an

Anvik Village Resume. A village resume profiles the talents and skills of the local workforce and

highlights local businesses, entities, infrastructure, equipment and resources. It could include a

list of tribal members/shareholders living away from Anvik that have expertise and skills that

may be a resource for local initiatives, projects or activities. There are several reasons Anvik

may complete a resume:

• To highlight resources to meet contractors’ needs for local community projects

• To help identify needed training and occupational (employment) areas for local people

to target in pursuing or gaining skills

• To assist with local hire on projects bid to outside contractors

• To use the completed resume as a marketing/informational tool to be shared with

potential program or program funders or added as an addendum to bid packages

• To be used in conjunction with community goals outlined in the Anvik Community Plan

• To assist the community in identifying local, tribal and shareholder talent

• A Village Resume may be designed to include a variety of information about Anvik.

Information that would be useful locally and to outsiders-contractors, employers and

other entities- includes:

• A list of local skilled workforce and information on where a current resume for local

individuals may be obtained

• A list of all past local workers employed on projects including occupation and range of

pay

• A list of tribal members/shareholders living away from Anvik who have expertise and

skills

• List of all past village projects/funding source/contractors

• List of all available construction related equipment for rent with rental agreement &

costs outlined

• List of available equipment storage space/locations & whether secured or unsecured


• Bulk fuel amounts, availability and price schedule

• List of all available vehicle rentals-trucks, ATVs, snow machines and boats

• List of business and individuals willing to rent homes, cabins and/or office space

• List of restaurants, stores, washeteria, pay phones, clinic

• List of gravel sites, quality of gravel and owner contact information

• List of airlines serving Anvik and contact information

• List of village contact persons, phone numbers, fax numbers and emails for obtaining

information

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